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Deacons look to find their offense again

Offensive-line injuries and Adams' recovery have Wake searching for a running game.

By Edward G. Robinson III
edward.robinson@newsobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
Clemson Wake Forest Football

Wake Forest's Josh Adams finds running room against Clemson on Oct. 9. Running has gotten tough for the Deacs. GERRY BROOME – ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

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This has been the most frustrating half of a football season Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said he can remember, with his team unable to find any offensive consistency.

The Demon Deacons dropped from the national polls this week for the first time this season as they've struggled to score, getting just one touchdown in three ACC games. The Deacs enter Saturday's game against Miami averaging 18.7 points per game, 11th in the conference in scoring offense.

Grobe said improving the lack of offense has been his team's emphasis of late. “We're not having a lot of consistency,” he said. “We feel like we get a handle on the problem and then you find out there's another problem.”

Consistency might prove a challenge as the Deacs try to overcome a rash of injuries in the offensive line that have hit at a critical time. And Josh Adams, last year's ACC Rookie of the Year, is still trying to get back to 100 percent after knee surgery this summer. As a consequence, Wake is averaging just 94.7 rushing yards per game, 11th in the ACC.

Elsewhere

ARMY-NAVY: To avoid conference championship games, the annual match will be played the second Saturday of December starting in 2009. This year's meeting, the 109th, is Dec. 6. Navy leads 52-49-7.

CLEMSON: Offensive guard Barry Humphries tore his ACL in practice Thursday and will be out for the rest of the season.

Humphries started seven games in 2007.

NORTH CAROLINA: Greg Little – going back to his original position, wide receiver, after Sean Draughn's takeover at running back – is fine with the move. “Wherever I can get into open space,” he said. “I think that's where I'm best at.”

N.C. STATE: Linebacker Nate Irving (ankle), offensive tackle Julian Williams (shoulder) and wide receiver Geron James (ankle) are scheduled to miss Saturday's game at Maryland.

OKLAHOMA (THE STATE): Tulsa's David Johnson, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson sit 1-2-3 in the nation in quarterback rating.

SOUTH CAROLINA: About 600 tickets, returned by Tennessee, were available Thursday for the Nov. 1 home game.

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