The 2007 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Jim Grobe in his seventh season at the school and played its home games at BB&T Field. The team began its season with an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) game on Saturday, September 1, 2007 against Boston College. Wake Forest played its first season since winning the 2006 ACC championship, their first in 36 years.[1]
Preseason
Following the most successful season in team history in 2006, the 2007 team was not widely predicted to win the ACC despite returning many offensive starters from 2006.[1] Some sports writers stated that they believed 2006 to have been a fluke and that Wake Forest was not going to win as many games in 2007, especially because of the losses on defense, including the loss of linebacker Jon Abbate to the National Football League.[2] Wake Forest was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division of the ACC in the annual preseason poll conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Lindy's was the only major preseason magazine to pick Wake Forest as a Top-25 team.[3]
Roster changes
Linebacker Eric Berry was ruled academically ineligible for the 2007 season.[4]
Mike Rinfrette moved from fullback to linebacker in spring practice.
Recruiting
On National Signing Day, Wake Forest signed 20 recruits in all, eleven defensive players and nine offensive players.
Award candidates
- Steve Justice (C)- 2007 Lombardi Trophy Watch List;[5] 2007 Outland Trophy Watch List;[6] 2007 Rimington Trophy Watch List [7]
- Zac Selmon (TE)- 2007 Wuerffel Trophy Nominee [8]
- Riley Skinner (QB) 2007 Maxwell Award Watch List;[9] 2007 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List [10]
- Sam Swank (P)- 2007 Ray Guy Award Watch List [11]
Roster
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Bold indicates starter in last game
Quarterbacks
- 6 Brett Hodges – Sophomore
- 10 Zach MacDowall – Freshman
- 11 Riley Skinner – Sophomore
- 12 Skylar Jones – Freshman
- 13 Ryan McManus – Junior
Running backs
- 3 Micah Andrews – Senior
- 20 Lucas Caparelli – Freshman
- 22 Brandon Pendergrass – Freshman
- 23 Kevin Harris – Sophomore
- 27 Josh Adams – Freshman
- 34 Willie Dixon – Freshman
- 49 Jose Domenach – Freshman
Wide receivers
- 4 Demir Boldin – Junior
- 8 Marshall Williams – Freshman
- 8 Geoff Wissing – Sophomore
- 14 Kevin Marion – Senior
- 15 Delon Lowe – Senior
- 17 Christopher Langley – Sophomore
- 21 Kenneth Moore – Senior
- 22 CJ Washington – Freshman
- 24 Trey Schmidt – Senior
- 36 Casey Hill – Sophomore
- 36 Nicholas Schulz – Freshman
- 37 Max Opamuratawongse – Senior
- 48 Anthony Williams – Sophomore
- 80 Devon Brown – Freshman
- 81 Danny Dembry – Freshman
- 82 Jordan Williams – Freshman
- 86 Matt Hartford – Sophomore
- 88 Chip Brinkman – Junior
Fullbacks
- 18 De'Angelo Bryant – Senior
- 35 Rich Belton – Junior
Tight ends
- 83 Cameron Ford – Freshman
- 84 Zac Selmon – Senior
- 85 Ben Wooster – Sophomore
- 87 Ted Randolph – Sophomore
- 89 John Tereshinski – Senior
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Offensive Linemen
- 60 Mike White – Freshman
- 61 Barrett McMillin – Sophomore
- 62 Doug Weaver – Freshman
- 64 Jeff Griffin – Sophomore
- 65 Gage Crews – Sophomore
- 67 Trey Bailey – Sophomore
- 68 David Cox – Freshman
- 70 Chris DeGeare – Junior
- 71 Ryan Britt – Freshman
- 72 Russell Nenon – Freshman
- 73 Cannon Gaskin – Freshman
- 74 Steve Justice – Senior
- 75 Michael Hoag – Freshman
- 76 Joe Birdsong – Sophomore
- 77 Boomer Peterson – Sophomore
- 78 Louis Frazier – Senior
- 79 Matthew Brim – Senior
Linebackers
- 28 Cyhl Quarles – Freshman
- 35 Lee Malchow – Sophomore
- 39 Chantz McClinic – Junior
- 40 Kyle Jarrett – Freshman
- 43 Stanley Arnoux – Junior
- 44 Mike Rinfrette – Sophomore
- 45 Mike Simmons – Junior
- 46 Matt Woodlief – Freshman
- 49 Michael Potteiger – Sophomore
- 52 Dominique Midgett – Sophomore
- 55 Tristan Dorty – Freshman
- 56 Hunter Haynes – Freshman
- 57 Gelo Orange – Freshman
- 59 Aaron Curry – Junior
- 63 Andrew Conroy – Junior
- 66 Collin Granger – Freshman
- 94 Tripp Russell – Freshman
Cornerbacks
- 2 Alphonso Smith – Junior
- 5 Marcus Williams – Freshman
- 17 Brandon Ghee – Sophomore
- 24 Channing Schofield – Sophomore
- 25 Josh Bush – Freshman
- 29 Kerry Major – Junior
- 41 Mike Williams – Freshman
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Safeties
- 7 Alex Frye – Freshman
- 9 Chip Vaughn – Junior
- 10 Kevin Patterson – Junior
- 25 Andrew Wright – Junior
- 26 Jonathon Jones – Sophomore
- 28 Peter Grimm – Freshman
- 30 John Stamper – Freshman
- 32 Aaron Mason – Senior
- 37 Junior Petit-Jean – Freshman
Defensive ends
- 34 Antonio Wilson – Junior
- 42 Matt Robinson – Senior
- 90 Will Wright – Freshman
- 93 Anthony Davis – Junior
- 94 Tripp Russell – Freshman
- 97 Kyle Wilber – Freshman
- 98 Jeremy Thompson – Senior
Defensive tackles
- 50 Teddy Tomlin – Freshman
- 51 John Russell – Sophomore
- 58 Michael Carter – Freshman
- 91 Dennis Godfrey – Freshman
- 95 Zach Stukes – Senior
- 96 Boo Robinson – Sophomore
- 99 Michael Lockett – Sophomore
Place Kickers
- 30 Shane Popham – Freshman
- 38 Sam Swank – Junior
- 40 Zach Collins – Freshman
- 69 Win Joyner – Freshman
Punters
Long Snappers
- 53 Greg Bechtel – Sophomore
- 92 Nick Jarvis – Senior
Kick returners
- 2 Alphonso Smith – Junior
- 14 Kevin Marion – Senior
- 21 Kenneth Moore – Senior
Punt Returners
- 21 Kenneth Moore – Senior
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Coaching staff
| Position
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Name
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First year at WFU
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| Head coach
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Jim Grobe
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2001
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| Wide Receivers
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Tim Billings
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2006
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| Fullbacks / Tight ends
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Tom Elrod
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2003
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| Defensive ends
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Keith Henry
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2001
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| Defensive coordinator / Secondary
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Dean Hood
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2001
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| Linebackers
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Brad Lambert
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2001
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| Offensive coordinator / Offensive line
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Steed Lobotzke
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2001
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| Defensive tackles
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Ray McCartney
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2001
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| Assistant head coach / Running backs / Kickers
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Billy Mitchell
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2001
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| Quarterbacks
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Jeff Mullen
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2001
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Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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| September 1 | 3:30 pm | at Boston College | | | ABC | L 28–38 | 42,292 |
| September 8 | 12:00 pm | No. 17 Nebraska* | | | ESPN | L 17–20 | 32,483 |
| September 15 | 3:30 pm | Army* | | - BB&T Field
- Winston-Salem, NC
| ACC Select | W 21–10 | 32,142 |
| September 22 | 3:30 pm | Maryland | | - BB&T Field
- Winston-Salem, NC
| ESPNU | W 31–24 OT | 31,964 |
| October 6 | 1:00 pm | at Duke | | | ACC Select | W 41–36 | 20,134 |
| October 11 | 7:30 pm | No. 21 Florida State | | - BB&T Field
- Winston-Salem, NC
| ESPN | W 24–21 | 32,906 |
| October 20 | 1:00 pm | at Navy* | | | CSTV | W 44–24 | 36,992 |
| October 27 | 12:00 pm | North Carolina | | - BB&T Field
- Winston-Salem, NC (rivalry)
| LFS | W 37–10 | 33,023 |
| November 3 | 12:00 pm | at Virginia | No. 21 | | LFS | L 16–17 | 60,106 |
| November 10 | 12:00 pm | at No. 20 Clemson | | | ESPN2 | L 10–44 | 82,422 |
| November 17 | 4:00 pm | NC State | | - BB&T Field
- Winston-Salem, NC (rivalry)
| ESPNU | W 38–18 | 33,052 |
| November 24 | 2:00 pm | at Vanderbilt* | | | | W 31–17 | 27,650 |
| December 29 | 1:00 pm | vs. Connecticut* | | | ESPN | W 24–10 | 53,126 |
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Game summaries
@ Boston College
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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14
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7
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0
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7 |
28 |
| Eagles
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7
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14
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14
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3 |
38 |
[12]
Nebraska
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Total |
| Cornhuskers
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3
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10
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7
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0 |
20 |
| Demon Deacons
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0
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10
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7
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0 |
17 |
[13]
Army
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Total |
| Black Knights
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0
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7
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3
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0 |
10 |
| Demon Deacons
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14
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7
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0
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0 |
21 |
[14]
Maryland
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Total |
| Terrapins
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10
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7
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7
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0 | 0 |
24 |
| Demon Deacons
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3
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0
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7
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14 | 7 |
31 |
[15]
@ Duke
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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7
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17
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10
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7 |
41 |
| Blue Devils
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9
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0
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14
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13 |
36 |
[16]
Florida State
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Total |
| Seminoles
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0
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14
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0
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7 |
21 |
| Demon Deacons
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0
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7
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7
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10 |
24 |
[17]
@ Navy
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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14
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13
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10
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7 |
44 |
| Midshipmen
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10
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7
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7
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0 |
24 |
[18]
North Carolina
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Total |
| Tar Heels
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0
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3
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0
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7 |
10 |
| Demon Deacons
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10
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7
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6
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14 |
37 |
[19]
@ Virginia
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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3
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3
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7
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3 |
16 |
| Cavaliers
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3
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7
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0
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7 |
17 |
@ Clemson
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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7
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0
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3
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0 |
10 |
| Tigers
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10
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17
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10
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7 |
44 |
[20]
NC State
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Total |
| Wolfpack
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0
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3
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15
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0 |
18 |
| Demon Deacons
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7
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14
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7
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10 |
38 |
[21]
@ Vanderbilt
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Total |
| Demon Deacons
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7
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7
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17
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0 |
31 |
| Commodores
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3
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0
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0
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14 |
17 |
[22]
Vs. Connecticut
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Total |
| Huskies
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7
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3
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0
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0 |
10 |
| Demon Deacons
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0
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0
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14
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10 |
24 |
[23]
Postseason honors
Conference
- Kenneth Moore (WR)
- Steve Justice (C)
- Alphonso Smith (CB)
- Josh Adams (RB)
- Aaron Curry (LB)
- All-ACC Honorable Mention
- Chip Vaughn (S)
- Sam Swank (K)
- Kevin Marion (KR)[25]
- Josh Adams (RB)- 2007 ACC Rookie of the Year and 2007 ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year [26]
- Matt Robinson (DE)- 2007 ACC Brian Piccolo Award [27]
National
- 2007 AFCA First Team All-American[29]
- Louis Frazier (OT) - 2007 ESPN Academic All-American[30]
References
- ^ a b "Wake Forest Wins First ACC Title Since 1970". Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
- ^ "2007 ACC football preview". Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
- ^ Wake Forest Picked To Finish Fourth In ACC Atlantic
- ^ Eric Berry Ruled Academically Ineligible for 2007
- ^ "Lombardi Trophy Watchlist". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
- ^ "Rimington Trophy Watch List". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ "Wuerffel Trophy Nominees". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ "Maxwell Award Watch List". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ "O'Brien Watch List". Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ Ray Guy Award Watch List
- ^ Boston College 38 Wake Forest 28
- ^ Nebraska 20 Wake Forest 17
- ^ Wake Forest 21 Army 10
- ^ Wake Forest 31 Maryland 24
- ^ Wake Forest 41 Duke 36
- ^ Wake Forest 24 Florida State 21
- ^ Wake Forest 44 Navy 24
- ^ Wake Forest 37 North Carolina 10
- ^ Clemson 44 Wake Forest 10
- ^ Wake Forest 38 North Carolina State 18
- ^ Wake Forest 31 Vanderbilt 17
- ^ Wake Forest 24 Connecticut 10
- ^ "Wake Forest's Steve Justice named Jacobs Blocking Trophy Recipient". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
- ^ "2007 All-ACC Football Teams Announced". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
- ^ "Wake Forest's Josh Adams Claims ACC Rookie of the Year Honors". Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2007.
- ^ "Wake Forest's Matt Robinson Named ACC's Piccolo Award Winner". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
- ^ Justice Named Rimington Trophy Finalist
- ^ "2007 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team". Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
- ^ Louis Frazier Named Academic All-America
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