Wake Forest Preps for Rival

The high that comes from a win in college football does not last long when you have to turn around and play again on Thursday. And when that game is a conference opener against an in-state rival, there is no time for anything other than critiquing the previous week, preparing for the next game, and doing it all in a very short time frame. Wake Forest is in prep mode for NC State Thursday night, while also breaking down what worked and what did not against Western Carolina last weekend.

The Rival from Raleigh

The two schools have split the last four games against each other. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren is 6-6 against Wake in his tenure. Deacs head coach Jake Dickert is in his first go-around in the rivalry.

Having been an assistant coach primarily in the Midwest and a head coach only on the Pacific Coast before starting at Wake Forest this year, one wonders how familiar Dickert is with the rivalry. It turns out that not only does he get it, but he definitely favors a schedule that plays NC State, Duke, and UNC each year. “I think it’s something really important. We’ve got to preserve these games,” he said Monday. “I’m a big fan of always playing all three of them, whether it has to be non-conference or not. I think that’s a big thing for us, our state, and hopefully all four institutions.”

The Final Word on WCU

That is the looking ahead part. There is still the part about what went right and what did not, last weekend in the 42-10 win over Western Carolina. With two weather delays, the day totaled well over seven hours from kickoff.

That being the case, he acknowledged there is still a lot to work on. “Our execution still isn’t to the standard. There’s still a lot to work on,” he said. “I thought we had good performances, good times, good moments. But to play championship football, you know, we need to elevate that standard.”

Claiborne in the Clear

The highlight of course, was the performance of running back Demond Claiborne. Ten carries for 193 yards and three touchdowns is going to get anyone’s attention. Claiborne came out of the game late in the third quarter for the rest of the night to protect him from any further damage to the apparent rib injury he suffered in week one. Claiborne said after the game Saturday that he had not wanted to come out of the game.

Dickert chuckled at hearing that on Monday. “I guarantee that’s the truth. He wants to be out there playing ball. I’m proud of his week of preparation.” Dickert said Claiborne will be back on a normal practice schedule this week to get ready for NC State.

Demon Deacon Defense

Dickert said one of the things that pleased him the most from Saturday and the film study was that the defense did not give up any big plays. “The defense continues to be elite at not giving up explosive plays. I don’t care who we play. I think that’s really, really important.”

Part of that was the pressure put on WCU quarterback Bennett Judy throughout the game. “Langston Hardy was unblockable,” Dickert said of the edge rusher. He said that on the interception by Zamari Stevenson, you could see that the play began with a strong pass rush, causing Judy to make an ill-advised throw.

The challenge steps up in difficulty this week. North Carolina State quarterback CJ Bailey is every bit the dual-threat quarterback that Wake has not had to face through the first two games. He has more rushing touchdowns than he does through the air. Bailey has thrown for 518 yards and two touchdowns. But he has also rushed for another three touchdowns with 65 yards in NC State’s two wins. “Bailey has taken a big step forward,” Dickert said. “Last year, they were very cautious with him. He is playing quarterback, and he has the keys to the car, and he is driving it.”

Dickert acknowledged that the team did prep work in camp on playing against Bailey.

Accolades

Claiborne was named the ACC Running Back of the Week for his performance against Western Carolina last weekend. His yardage was the most by an ACC running back so far this season.

Network Coverage

ESPN SportsCenter will be live from Wake Forest at 2 pm Eastern on Thursday. The broadcast will originate from Hearn Plaza. Fans can congregate at the plaza beginning at 1:30 pm.