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Clemson Football Oppo Research: Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest took a step back following the departure of Sam Hartman, but Dave Clawson will have a new signal caller when Clemson Football visits in October.

By John Chancey

Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons mascot on the field before the start during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons mascot on the field before the start during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson Football will follow up their first true road game of the season with a trip to Winston-Salem.

What: Clemson Tigers at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

When: October 12th, time to be determined

Where: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Series History: Clemson leads the all-time series 71-17-1. The Tigers are currently on a 15-game winning streak against the Deacs. Clemson won the last game in Winston-Salem 51-45 in overtime in 2022. Wake’s last victory in the series was in 2008.

Wake Forest 2023 Statistics

All stats per teamrankings.com against FBS competition only

Points per game: 18.7 (117th)

Yards per game: 318.7 (105th)

Points allowed per game: 28.1 (73rd)

Yards allowed per game: 398.8 (79th)

After several years of living in the top half of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest took a step back last season, and it isn’t hard to put a finger on the main reason. Sam Hartman was made for the Demon Deacons and the Deacons were made for Hartman. Neither achieved at the same level on their own.

The defense wasn’t great, but the offense is where things must improve for Wake. Dave Clawson’s slow mesh system isn’t going anywhere, so it is more about who runs it. Mitch Griffis has departed for Marshall, so Clawson has brought in Hank Bachmeier from Louisiana Tech. Bachmeier was part of the Class of 2019 and enrolled at Boise State as a 4-star prospect. He transferred to the Bulldogs for 2023 and has one season of eligibility remaining.

Other known names have exited as well. Justice Ellison has moved on to Indiana and Wesley Grimes has transferred to NC State. The Deacs will rely heavily on oft-injured receiver Donovan Greene. They do return three offensive linemen with starting experience.

2023’s leading tackler Dylan Hazen returns for coordinator Brad Lambert’s defense, but otherwise, there aren’t a lot of familiar names.

This will be Clemson’s second road game in a row following their huge game at Florida State. It could be a prime location for a letdown, regardless of the outcome in Tallahassee. That said, I don’t think Clemson will be pushed notably by Wake following the FSU game any more than they will be pushed by Stanford ahead of the FSU game.

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