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Wake Forest Football: Game plan to a possible upset over Clemson

By Brandon Croce

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 30: Sam Hartman #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrates after winning a game against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 30: Sam Hartman #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrates after winning a game against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 22: Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs away from Luke Masterson #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 22: Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs away from Luke Masterson #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Limit the explosive plays

This has been the biggest weakness for the Demon Deacons’ defense this season. The team has struggled to stop the explosive plays of the opposing offense but showed tremendous improvement against Rice this past weekend.

Clawson elected to go in another direction prior to the Rice game and fired Jay Swarvel as defensive coordinator. He did not name a specific replacement but the defensive coaching staff as a whole called a great game.

The first four drives for Rice were three three-and-outs and an interception which allowed the Demon Deacons to build a big 42-3 halftime lead. The Owls passing attack really didn’t get a chance to hit the big play and had only two passes that went more than 10 yards. Their longest run came in the second half, at a time the game was pretty much decided, when Austin Walters ran for a 38-yard touchdown.

There is no question that the Tigers has much more talent on the offense than Rice so it will be vital for the Demon Deacons to keep the play in front of them and focus on their assignments.

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