Old North Banter
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Wake Forest Football: Key takeaways from win over Rice

By Brandon Croce

WINSTON SALEM, NC - SEPTEMBER 22: A general view of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - SEPTEMBER 22: A general view of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – AUGUST 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Demon Deacons’ defense limits the explosive play

One the biggest weaknesses for the Demon Deacons’ defense through the first four games was their inability to limit the big play of opposing offenses. In three of the team’s first four games, opposing offenses had at least one pass play over 50 yards and a run play over 30 yards.

While the Owls did have a few runs over 30 yards, including a 47 yard run by Austin Walter, the secondary did a great job keeping the receivers in front of them. The longest pass play the Owls had was for 17 yards and there was only one other play that went longer than 10 yards.

One point Clawson has noted the past few games is the lack of communication on the field. This has likely been a point of emphasis leading up to this game and it clearly paid off.

This will be vital for this defense to continue to improve as the Clemson Tigers is up next on the schedule.

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