2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

Before the season[]

Schedule[]

Roster[]

Coaching staff[]

Game notes[]

Post Season[]

Rankings[]

Scores by quarter[]

References[]

External links[]

Roster changes[]

Recruiting[]

Baylor[]

Ole Miss[]

Florida State[]

Navy[]

Clemson[]

Maryland[]

Miami[]

Duke[]

Virginia[]

NC State[]

Boston College[]

Vanderbilt[]

Navy[]

Conference[]

National[]

Roster changes[]

	2008 ACC football standings
	Atlantic
	Coastal
	Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 12
	† – BCS representative as champion ; x – Division champion/co-champions ; y – Championship game participant ; North Carolina vacated 8 wins, including 4 ACC wins ; Rankings from AP Poll;

Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
	2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
2008 EagleBank Bowl, Win over Navy
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
	Atlantic
2008 record	8–5 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach	Jim Grobe
Offensive coordinator	Steed Lobotzke
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Brad Lambert
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	BB&T Field; (Capacity: 31,500, FieldTurf)
	Seasons ← 2007 2009 →

The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The Demon Deacons were led by eighth-year head coach Jim Grobe. Wake Forest played its home games at BB&T Field. The Deacons began their season on August 28 at Baylor. A win in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl against UConn gave the Deacons twenty wins over the last two seasons.

The team is finished 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play, and beat Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on December 20.

Quarterback Zach MacDowell enrolled Coastal Carolina University in January, and will play there starting in 2008.^[1]
Running back Lucas Caparelli was dismissed from the university after an off the field incident in January.^[2]

On National Signing Day, the Demon Deacons received letters of intent from 17 players.

Andrew Parker TE 6-5 225 Jacksonville, FL Bartram Trail
Terence Davis WR 6-1 180 Lilburn, GA Brookwood
Gabe Irby OL 6-3 315 Mt. Airy, GA Habersham Central
Ted Stachitas QB 6-3 185 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Nease
Derricus Ellis DE 6-2 225 Rome, GA Darlington School
Joey Ehrmann LB 6-4 210 Baltimore, MD Gilman
Ramon Booi DL 6-6 330 Jacksonville, FL Nease
Scott Betros LB 6-1 220 Jacksonville, FL Bolles School
Riley Haynes LB 6-1 225 Jacksonville, FL Nease
Kevin Smith DE 6-4 210 Plano, TX East
Lovell Jackson RB 5-10 170 Tampa, FL Plant
Garrick Williams OL 6-4 314 Columbia, MO Rock Bridge
J.T. Dixon TE 6-4 230 Chandler, AZ Hargrave Military
Chance Raines OL 6-2 270 Jacksonville, FL Bolles School
Joe Looney OL 6-3 315 Lake Worth, FL Lake Worth
Kenny Okoro CB 6-0 185 Greensboro, NC Dudley
Chris Givens RB 6-0 200 Wylie, TX Wylie^[3]

^[4]

Date	Time	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 28*	8:00 PM	at Baylor	#23	Floyd Casey Stadium • Waco, TX	FSN	W 41-13	30,633^[5]
September 6*	3:30 pm	Ole Miss	#20	BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ABC/ESPN2	W 30-28	31,986^[5]
September 20	7:00 PM	at #25 Florida State	#18	Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL	ESPN2	W 12-3	79,235^[5]
September 27*	3:45 PM	Navy	#15	BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	L 24-17	33,173^[5]
October 9	7:30 PM	Clemson	#21	BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ESPN	W 12-7	33,988^[5]
October 18	12:00 PM	at Maryland	#19	Byrd Stadium • College Park, MD	Raycom	L 26-0	46,257^[5]
October 25	12:00 PM	at Miami		Dolphin Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL	ESPNU	L 16-10	41,208^[5]
November 1	3:30 PM	Duke		BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ESPN360	W 33-30 ^OT	32,226^[5]
November 8†	3:30 PM	Virginia		BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	W 28-17	34,014^[5]
November 15	3:30 PM	at North Carolina State		Carter-Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC	ESPNU	L 21-17	56,174^[5]
November 22	3:30 PM	#25 Boston College		BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ABC/ESPN2	L 24-21	30,373^[5]
November 29*	7:00 PM	Vanderbilt		BB&T Field • Winston-Salem, NC	ESPNU	W 23-10	25,902^[5]
December 20*	11:00 AM	vs. Navy		RFK Stadium • Washington DC (EagleBank Bowl)	ESPN	W 29-19	28,777^[5]
*Non-Conference Game. ^†Homecoming. ^#Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

After the 2007 season, The Deacons had two assistant coaches accept other coaching positions. Defensive Coordinator Dean Hood accepted the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky.^[6] Quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen left the Deacons to assume the Offensive Coordinator position at West Virginia.^[7]

Position	Name	First year at WFU
Head Coach	Jim Grobe	2001
Secondary	Tim Billings	2006
Quarterbacks	Tom Elrod	2003
Defensive Ends	Keith Henry	2001
Defensive Coordinator	Brad Lambert	2001
Offensive coordinator / Offensive line	Steed Lobotzke	2001
Defensive Tackles	Ray McCartney	2001
Assistant Head Coach / Running backs / Kickers	Billy Mitchell	2001
Tight Ends / Fullbacks	Steve Russ	2008
Wide Receivers	Brian Knorr	2008
Source: http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wake-m-footbl-mtt.html

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	10	10	14	7	41
Baylor	0	6	0	7	13

In front of a national television audience, Riley Skinner threw for three touchdowns, including two to Chip Brinkman. Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass added touchdown runs in a lopsided 41-13 scoreline. Alphonso Smith and Alex Frye notched interceptions for the Deacons, who won their first ever game in the state of Texas.^[8]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Ole Miss	7	7	0	14	28
Wake Forest	7	3	10	10	30

Sam Swank's 42 yd FG with three seconds remaining gave Wake Forest a thrilling 30-28 win over Ole Miss. In a game with several lead changes, Ole Miss took the lead with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Wake quarterback Riley Skinner led the Deacons down the field in 53 seconds to set up Swank's game winning field goal.^[9]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	3	0	6	3	12
Florida State	0	0	3	0	3

In a game that featured no touchdowns, Sam Swank made four field goals to lead the Demon Deacons to a 12-3 win in Tallahassee. The win was the Deacons' second consecutive win in Tallahassee, and the third straight overall over the Seminoles. The Wake Forest defense was stout, allowing Florida State under 250 yards of offense, and forcing seven turnovers, including five interceptions.^[10]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Navy	7	10	0	7	24
Wake Forest	0	0	10	7	17

Eric Kettani ran for a career-high 175 yards and backup quarterback Jarod Bryant scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Navy came into Winston-Salem and upset Wake Forest 24-17.^[11]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Clemson	0	0	7	0	7
Wake Forest	3	0	0	9	12

Riley Skinner's 7 yard touchdown pass to DJ Boldin with 5:28 to go gave the Deacons a 12-7 win against Clemson. In a defensive battle, the Deacons' defense managed to hold Clemson to less than one yard per carry. Wake Forest dominated the game statistically but were unable to capitalize on several scoring chances. The sole turnover in the game was a Cullen Harper pass intercepted by Alphonso Smith, who tied a school record with his 17th career interception. Riley Skinner also threw for 186 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-34 passing, and also added 73 yards on the ground.^[12]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	0	0	0	0	0
Maryland	7	6	6	7	26

Chris Turner completed 28-of-41 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown, and Maryland knocked off another top-25 team with a 26-0 thumping of No. 21 Wake Forest.^[13]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	7	3	0	0	10
Miami	3	0	10	3	16

Wake Forest was not able to maintain a halftime lead in falling against Miami. The Deacons were unable to mount much offense in the second half, and a Robert Marve QB sneak in the third quarter ended up being the game-winner. Fullback Mike Rinfrette scored the lone Deacons touchdown on a one yard run on Wake's first offensive series.^[14]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Duke	7	0	13	10	30
Wake Forest	9	3	10	8	33

In a back and forth affair, Wake Forest held off Duke 33-30 in an overtime battle. Alphonso Smith blocked a punt for a safety and had two interceptions for the Deacons, including one in overtime to end the game. Riley Skinner had a touchdown pass to DJ Boldin, and also scored on a quarterback sneak. The Blue Devils had their chance to win at the end of regulation, but missed a 42 yard field goal that would have won it. Aaron Curry led the Deacons with 16 tackles.^[15]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Virginia	0	3	0	14	17
Wake Forest	14	14	0	0	28

On homecoming weekend in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons dazzled fans en route to a 28-3 halftime advantage. Riley Skinner threw two touchdown passes in the first half, including a 58 yard strike to Devon Brown. Kevin Patterson gave the Wake defense their first touchdown of the season, as e brought back a UVA pass for a 53 yard touchdown. Wake Forest turned more conservative in the second half, and allowed UVA to pick up a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, but the lead was safe, and the Deacons claimed bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season.^[16]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	7	7	3	0	17
NC State	7	7	0	7	21

Russell Wilson threw the game-winning touchdown to Anthony Hill will ten minutes remaining, and NC State held off Wake Forest 21-17 in Raleigh. DJ Boldin had a hand in both Wake touchdowns, throwing a pass to Marshall Williams for a 64 yard touchdown, and catching a 7 yarder of his own. Williams had his first career 100 yard receiving day, grabbing 7 balls for 116 yards.^[17]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Boston College	3	13	0	8	24
Wake Forest	0	7	7	7	21

Backup quarterback Dominique Davis scored on a one yard quarterback sneak in the final minutes to send Wake Forest to their second straight close defeat. In a defensive battle, the Demon Deacon defense scored two touchdowns, and a punt block set up the third. Kevin Patterson and Kyle Wilbur returned fumbles for touchdowns, and Rich Belton caught a 1 yard touchdown pass from Riley Skinner. This game also saw the return of kicker Sam Swank, who missed several weeks with injury.^[18]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Vanderbilt	3	0	0	7	10
Wake Forest	3	7	7	6	23

Three different Deacons ran for touchdowns as Wake held off Vanderbilt 23-10 in each team's regular season finale. Brandon Pendergrass, Kevin Harris, and Rich Belton got in the endzone, and Alphonso Smith tied the ACC record for career interceptions. The win guaranteed Wake Forest their third consecutive winning season.^[19]

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	0	7	7	15	29
Navy	10	3	0	6	19

Wake Forest scored 29 points in the last 31 minutes of action to win the inaugural EagleBank Bowl, and took revenge on Navy for a regular season defeat. Josh Adams got in the end zone twice for Wake Forest, who also got touchdowns from Ben Wooster and Rich Belton. Alphonso Smith intercepted a second quarter pass to break Dre Bly's ACC record for career interceptions. The Deacons outrushed the potent Navy option attack, led by a career high 136 yards from Kevin Harris, and Riley Skinner set a FBS bowl record by completing eleven passes without an incompletion.^[20]

All-ACC First Team

DJ Boldin (WR)

Aaron Curry (LB)

Alphonso Smith (CB)

All-ACC Honorable Mention

Boo Robinson (DE)

Riley Skinner (QB)
^[21]

Aaron Curry (LB)- 2008 Butkus Award Winner, 2nd Team AP All-American, 2nd Team Sporting News All-American, 2nd Team Rivals.com All-American
Alphonso Smith (CB)- 1st Team AP All-American, 2nd Team Sporting News All-American, 2nd Team Rivals.com All-American

Ranking Movement
Poll	Pre	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	Wk 6	Wk 7	Wk 8	Wk 9	Wk 10	Wk 11	Wk 12	Wk 13	Wk 14	Wk 15	Final
AP	#23	#20	#20	#18	#16	#25	#21	#21	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Coaches	#23	#20	#19	#18	#15	#25	#21	#19	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Harris	Not released					#25	#22	#21	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
BCS	Not released								NR	NR	NR	#24	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR

	1	2	3	4	OT
Wake Forest	63	61	64	82	273
Opponents	54	55	39	90	238

Bold indicates started last game
Quarterbacks

6 Brett Hodges - Redshirt Junior

10 Christian Hartford - Freshman

11 Riley Skinner - Redshirt Junior

12 Skylar Jones - Redshirt Freshman

13 Ted Stachitas - Freshman

15 Ryan McManus - Senior

32 Turner Faulk - Freshman

Running Backs

14 CJ Washington - Redshirt Freshman

20 Lovell Jackson - Freshman

22 Brandon Pendergrass - Redshirt Freshman

27 Josh Adams - Redshirt Sophomore

34 Willie Dixon - Redshirt Freshman

Wide Receivers

3 Devon Brown - Redshirt Freshman

4 D.J. Boldin - Redshirt Senior

7 Jordan Williams - Sophomore

8 Marshall Williams - Redshirt Sophomore

17 Christopher Langley - Junior

18 Danny Dembry - Redshirt Freshman

21 Andrew Wright - Junior

36 Casey Hill - Redshirt Junior

81 Terence Davis - Freshman

82 Chris Givens - Freshman

86 Matt Hartford - Junior

88 Chip Brinkman - Redshirt Senior

Fullbacks

23 Kevin Harris - Redshirt Junior

35 Rich Belton - Redshirt Senior

44 Mike Rinfrette - Redshirt Junior

48 Anthony Williams - Junior

Tight Ends

80 Andrew Parker - Freshman

83 Cameron Ford - Redshirt Freshman

84 J.T. Dixon - Freshman

85 Ben Wooster - Redshirt Junior

89 Kenneth Coe - Sophomore

Offensive Linemen

61 Barrett McMillin - Redshirt Junior

62 Doug Weaver - Redshirt Freshman

64 Jeff Griffin - Redshirt Junior

65 Gage Crews - Redshirt Junior

66 Chance Raines - Freshman

67 Trey Bailey - Redshirt Junior

69 Dennis Godfrey - Redshirt Freshman

71 Ryan Britt - Redshirt Freshman

72 Russell Nenon - Redshirt Sophomore

74 Garrick Williams - Freshman

75 Michael Hoag - Redshirt Freshman

76 Joe Birdsong - Redshirt Junior

77 Boomer Peterson - Redshirt Junior

78 Joe Looney - Freshman

79 Gabe Irby - Freshman

Linebackers

26 Jonathon Jones - Redshirt Junior

32 Scott Betros - Freshman

35 Lee Malchow - Junior

39 Chantz McClinic - Redshirt Senior

40 Kyle Jarrett - Redshirt Freshman

41 Michael Potteiger - Junior

43 Stanley Arnoux - Redshirt Senior

45 Riley Haynes - Freshman

46 Matt Woodlief - Redshirt Sophomore

50 Joey Ehrmann - Freshman

52 Dominique Midgett - Redshirt Junior

54 Collin Granger - Redshirt Freshman

55 Tristan Dorty - Redshirt Freshman

56 Hunter Haynes - Redshirt Sophomore

57 Gelo Orange - Redshirt Freshman

59 Aaron Curry - Redshirt Senior

60 Barrett Powell - Freshman

63 Andrew Conroy - Senior

Cornerbacks

2 Alphonso Smith - Redshirt Senior

5 Marcus Williams - Redshirt Sophomore

6 Kenny Okoro - Freshman

17 Brandon Ghee - Redshirt Junior

24 Michael Williams - Redshirt Freshman

25 Josh Bush - Redshirt Freshman

29 Kerry Major - Redshirt Senior

37 Morgan Harris - Freshman

Safeties

8 Geoff Wissing - Junior

9 Chip Vaughn - Redshirt Senior

10 Kevin Patterson - Redshirt Senior

21 Alex Frye - Redshirt Sophomore

28 Cyhl Quarles - Redshirt Freshman

30 John Stamper - Redshirt Freshman

36 Peter Grimm - Redshirt Freshman

37 Junior Petit-Jean - Redshirt Freshman

Defensive Ends

34 Antonio Wilson - Redshirt Senior

42 Matt Robinson - Redshirt Senior

53 Joe Hall - Redshirt Freshman

54 Derricus Ellis - Freshman

90 Will Wright - Redshirt Freshman

91 Kevin Smith - Freshman

93 Anthony Davis - Redshirt Senior

94 Tripp Russell - Redshirt Sophomore

97 Kyle Wilber - Redshirt Freshman

99 Michael Lockett - Redshirt Junior

Defensive Tackles

51 John Russell - Redshirt Junior

58 Michael Carter - Redshirt Sophomore

87 Ted Randolph - Redshirt Junior

92 Bryson Dunmeyer - Freshman

95 Ramon Booi - Freshman

96 Boo Robinson - Redshirt Junior

Place Kickers

14 Shane Popham - RedshirtFreshman

21 Andrew Wright - Junior

38 Sam Swank - Redshirt Senior

Punters

14 Shane Popham - RedshirtFreshman

38 Sam Swank - Redshirt Senior

Long Snappers

53 Greg Bechtel - Junior

54 Collin Granger - Redshirt Freshman

Kick Returners

2 Alphonso Smith - Redshirt Senior

3 Devon Brown - Redshirt Freshman

21 Alex Frye - Redshirt Sophomore

Punt Returners

2 Alphonso Smith - Redshirt Senior

The Official Site of the Demon Deacons

[1] Former Wake Forest QB enrolls at Coastal

[2] Student tied to threat is no longer at WFU

[3] Signing Day Central

[4] ACC Announces 2008 Football Schedule

[statistics-5] 5.00 ^5.01 ^5.02 ^5.03 ^5.04 ^5.05 ^5.06 ^5.07 ^5.08 ^5.09 ^5.10 ^5.11 ^5.12 "Wake Forest Game Results". Wake Forest University. http://www.wakeforestsports.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/wake/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/0809-stats#00.

[6] Hood leaves job at Wake Forest

[7] Former Wake Forest assistant Mullen will direct Mountaineers' offense

[8] Wake Forest opens season with 41-13 win over Baylor

[9] Swank's 41-yard Field Goal Lifts #20 Wake Forest Past Ole Miss

[10] Defense Forces Seven Turnovers in 12-3 Wake Forest Victory

[11] No. 15 Deacons Downed by Navy 24-17

[12] Boldin's First Touchdown Catch Lifts No. 21 Wake Forest to 12-7 Victory

[13] Maryland Shuts Out No. 19 Wake Forest 26-0

[14] Hurricanes Drop Deacons, 16-10

[15] Wake Forest Beats Duke 33-30 in Overtime Thriller

[16] Wake Forest Defeats Virginia, 28-17

[17] Wake Forest Drops Close Contest at NC State

[18] Boston College Defeats Wake Forest 24-21 on Senior Day

[19] Wake Forest Closes Season with 23-10 win Over Vanderbilt

[20] Bowl Season Opens With Wake Forest Victory Over Navy, 29-19

[21] Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association Announces 2008 All-ACC Football Teams

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