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GAME NO. 1 CAPSULE -
DENNY O'BRIEN
East Carolina vs. Wake Forest
Saturday, September 1,
2001
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (43,000), 7:00 PM EDT
Television: None
Weather Fx: Partly cloudy, mild, chance of showers
Pirates and Demon Deacons at
a Glance
First-year Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe brings
an experienced Demon Deacon team into Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with hopes of
spoiling the Pirates' Pigskin Pig-out Weekend.
The Pirates have high hopes and many prognosticators figure them to contend
for the C-USA title and post as many as nine wins this season. Hopes
aren't quite as high for the Deacons, who are projected to finish at or near
the bottom of the ACC, despite returning 20 starters.
Wake Forest Facts and Notes
Record: 2-9 (1-7 ACC) in 2000.
Head Coach: Jim Grobe (first year).
Home Venue: Groves Stadium (33,941).
Last Week: No result. This will be the Demon Deacons' first
game.
Last Meeting: 1997. Wake Forest jumped out to an early 21-0 first
quarter league, but couldn't hold on as the Pirates stormed back for a 25-24
victory in Greenville.
Last Bowl Game: 1999 Jeep Aloha Bowl. Defeated Arizona State, 23-3.
Whatever happened to C.J. Leak? Leak
shocked the recruiting world three years ago when he committed to Wake
Forest over Notre Dame. Following a knee injury last season, Leak
decided to leave the Wake Forest program, transferring to Tennessee, where he figures to shift to the
defensive backfield next season.
Football Claim to Fame: Running back Brian Piccolo lead the nation
in rushing in 1964 (1,044 yds) en route to All-America and ACC player of the
year honors. Piccolo played four seasons for the Chicago Bears, teaming
with Gayle Sayers to provide one of the league's most dangerous one-two
punches at running back. Piccolo played only four years in Chicago, before
succumbing to cancer in 1970. The 1971 film Brian's Song, starring
Billy Dee Williams and James Caan, captures Piccolo's story.
The Breakdown
Quotes of Note: "They've got good players, and
that particular coach that they've hired, we have played him twice before
when I know in my heart we had the better athletes. Both of those games
were absolute slugfests because he is a really good football coach." ---
East Carolina head coach Steve Logan on Wake Forest and its new coach, Jim
Grobe.
"Anytime you step on the field, you're eligible for a fanny whippin'. If
you don't bring your 'A' game, that's exactly what's going to happen to
you." --- Logan on the state of college football.
Wake Players to Watch: QB James MacPherson
(1324 passing yds.), QB Anthony Young (455 rushing yds.), WR Fabian Davis
(18.1 ypc), OL Michael Collins, LB Marquis Hopkins (100 tackles), DT Nate
Bolling (4 sacks).
When the Pirates have the ball: Senior
quarterback David Garrard returns for his fourth season under center for the
Pirates. The Deacons will get a healthy dose of Garrard, be it through the
air off play-action, or on the ground running the option. East Carolina is
both deep and talented at the skill positions, headlined by two seniors:
running back Leonard Henry and split end Derrick Collier.
The offensive line returns three starters, and Logan likes what he has seen
from freshmen Hagen Mason and Charlie Dempsey. First-year strength coach
Jim Whitten worked extensively this summer to increase the line's strength,
so look for the Pirates to try to overpower the Deacons up front. If Wake
Forest tries to stack the line of scrimmage, look for the Pirates to take a
few deep shots.
Offensive Coordinator Doug Martin's multiple attack should have answers for
anything the Deacs throw at the Pirates. With a seasoned, determined
Garrard, the Pirates should click on offense, provided they take care of the
football.
Advantage: East Carolina
When the Deacons have the ball: Even Logan
isn't quite sure what to expect from the Demon Deacons on offense, though he
does have some idea.
Said Logan, "I think with the quarterback (Anthony Young) they've got,
they'll certainly continue some of their triple-option presentations. And
at the same time, I'm anticipating some sort of a spread type of offense to
give this young man as many broken-field opportunities as they can create
for him. He is a talent."
Grobe ran the wishbone at Ohio, but is committed to a balanced attack in
Winston Salem. Grobe, however, will not abandon the triple-option, and will
utilize Young's speed on the edge. The absence of senior receiver Ira
Williams (listed as doubtful), who led the Deacs with 45 receptions last
season, could hinder the passing game.
Tailback Tarence Williams will get his share of carries behind a leaner,
faster offensive line, but outside yardage could be tough against an
aggressive Pirate defense.
Advantage: East Carolina
Special Teams: Billed as the fastest man in
the ACC, Wake Forest return specialist John Stone is a game-breaker. Stone
averaged 24.7 yards per kick return last season, which ranked 14th
nationally. The Deacs also return punter Matt Brennie and place-kicker
Tyler Ashe, both of whom will contend for All-ACC honors this season.
The Pirates have more questions than answers on special teams. Punter Jarad
Preston has been inconsistent in spring practice, and the loss of return
specialist Keith Stokes hurts. Place-kicker Kevin Miller returns at full
strength for the first time since '99.
Advantage: Wake Forest
What East Carolina must do to win:
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Don't overlook the Deacs.
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Take care of the football.
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Avoid special teams blunders.
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Achieve offensive balance.
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Stop the run.
What Wake
Forest must do to win:
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Force turnovers.
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Protect the quarterback.
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Score early, before defensive
coordinator Tim Rose can adjust to schemes.
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Eliminate the big play.
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Hope David Garrard doesn't
show.
Prediction:
Wake Forest keeps it close early, but doesn't have the athletes or the
firepower to hang with the Pirates, who pull away, 38-13.
Send an e-mail message to Denny O'Brien.
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