Can Wake Forest Hit New Heights?

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons may have surpassed the previous two seasons, not to mention all the pre-season expectations for 2025. But there are still new heights to be conquered, head coach Jake Dickert says. And it begins with not overlooking this week’s opponent, the Delaware Blue Hens.

Wake is going to a bowl game for the first time in three years. That much is certain. Which one it goes to will be determined over the next two weeks, both by how the Deacs play and what happens around them. Wake is 7-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Not bad for a team that was picked to finish last or near last in the conference in most every pre-season poll. But it can all go backward if they overlook the Blue Hens.

Delaware

The Blue Hens are one win away from bowl eligibility, so their motivation in Winston-Salem on Saturday will be high. Delaware is 5-5 overall and 3-4 in Conference USA play. They are coming off a 26-23 loss to Sam Houston. The high point of the season came in an overtime win over UConn in the first month of the season.

Dickert said his team has conviction. “Confidence is an emotion. Sometimes, that’s like a feeling that comes and goes. These guys are convicted into hard work. And when you see your hard work pay off, I think it’s the biggest thing you can really ever have as a high performer, as an individual.” Dickert said the conviction coming to fruition turns into pride, which he is seeing more and more in the team.

That Wake Defense

Perhaps the biggest key to the belief, or the conviction, is the defense. After the meltdown in Tallahassee, Wake is back to having the 24^th total defense in the country. “I don’t know if we’ve given up a touchdown the last couple of games,” Dickert said. They have not. “Our red zone defense is absolutely off the charts.” He said the players on defense are not phased when the opponent gets into the red zone, adding that they don’t care how a team got there. “They just dig in and do their jobs.”

Delaware head coach Ryan Carty is fully aware of the Wake Forest defense. “Other than Penn State a couple of years ago, this is the best defense I’ve prepared for,” he said at his weekly press conference. Delaware lost that game 63-7. “As far as the actual scheme and what they do and how they play, I feel like this is one of the best teams I have ever coached against on defense.”

Carty added an analysis that would probably make Dickert smile. “What I think they do really well that maybe does set them apart from some of those teams I’ve coached against is their third down package is just a little bit better and a little more crisp.”

Carty said the Blue Hens are going to have “Little room for error” on Saturday.

Senior Day

That does not mean Dickert is taking it for granted this weekend. “This is the biggest week to me,” he said earlier this week. “It’s our senior game.” Dickert said he owes a lot to those 30 players who will be honored Saturday. “These guys have set the tempo and the tenor from the moment I got here. I’m really excited to honor these guys and channel the emotion of the game.”

Ah, yes, the emotion. So many times, these pre-game celebrations can get players so amped up, they forget about the task at hand after kickoff. If Wake is not prepared, Delaware has the skills players to make the Deacs pay. “This Delaware team is lighting up the scoreboard,” Dickert said. “These guys can go out there and make big plays,” he added. “By no means am I going to overlook Delaware. We’re not going to let that excuse creep into our minds. Built in the dark is about staying on the process. The spotlight is trying to find us. These guys have earned that. But our preparation has to stay the same.”

And the Award Goes To…

With success, especially the unexpected form of success, comes national acknowledgement. Dickert is one of 24 finalists for the Munger Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club, given to the coach of the year.

One of the mysterious omissions is for the Burlsworth Trophy. It’s an annual award given to the most outstanding college football player who started their career as a walk-on. Wake defensive back Nick Anderson did not make the list of the final 12.