Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 4, 1998, edition 1 / Page 15
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Shf Oatly Sar Hppl Caldwell's Deacons Strive For Further Improvement By Adam Schaefer Staff Writer There is a certain excitement sur rounding the Wake Forest football team this fall. But wait a minute. Is this the same Demon Deacon team that went 5-6 and tied for sixth place in the ACC in 1997? Well, yes and no. Sure, the Deacs return 16 starters. But there is no confusing last year’s team and the one that takes the field against Air Force on Saturday. The 1998 edi tion is talking about a trip to the Sunshine Classic (formerly the Carquest Bowl) or even the Peach Bowl. The 1997 club suffered a 51- point bloodletting in Tallahassee against Florida State. But coach Jim Caldwell said Wake players worked hard and improved in the off-season. Senior wide receiver Desmond Clark has caught 157 passes for 1,968 yards and 12 TDs in his career. “We have obviously made some major strides in developing our team speed and strength,” Caldwell said. “But we must focus on getting even better in both of those areas.” Several signs indicate that the opti mism might be justified. First, the Deacs play a favorable schedule. Their other out-of-conference battles include Navy and Appalachian State. Plus, FSU, North Carolina and Virginia all must pay visits to Groves Stadium. The Deacs also have what is proba bly the ACC’s premier passing-receiv ing combination. Preseason ACC Player of the Year Brian Kuklick threw for 2,180 yards last fall, along with 15 touchdowns before being sidelined for the last two games with an injury. Kuklick’s favorite target was senior Wake Forest '9B Schedule Sept. 5 at Air Force Sept. 10 Navy Sept. 26 at Clemson Oct. 3 App. State Oct. 10 Duke Oct. 17 at Maryland Oct. 24 UNC Oct. 31 Virginia Nov. 7 at N.C. State Nov. 14 Florida State Nov. 21 at Georgia Tech W Wake Forest record: 5-6 (3-5 in ACC) y Head Coach: Jim Caldwell (14-41 overall, r— 14-41 at Wake Forest) Home Reid: Groves Stadium (31,500) Returning Starters: 8 offense, 8 defense Key Returnees: WR Desmond Clark, T Jeff Flowe, RB Morgan Kane, QB Brian Kuklick, LB Kelvin Moses Key Losses: DE Robert Fatzinger, C Chris Gaskell, CB D'Angelo Solomon, LB David Zadel Strengths: The Deacs return 16 starters after a surprising 1997 season. Kuklick is an ACC Player-of-the-Year candidate Weaknesses: Dealing with raised expectations will be anew experience for a team that has not had much success in recent years. Keys to season: Kuklick, who was injured at the end of last season, must continue to improve. Clark and Kane need to provide him with some help. Kelvin Moses and Dustin Lyman have to lead Wake's defense from their linebacker positions. Key Game: Nov. 7 at N.C. State Desmond Clark, who needs only 37 catches to become the ACC’s all-time leader -a mark he’ll probably reach by Halloween. Despite that explosive combination, Wake’s strength just might be its defense. The Deacs gave up just 96 yards rushing per game last year, 10th best in Div. I-A and eight starters return for Caldwell. “Last year was our best team to date, and this team has the potential to be It’s A Scream! ****% F\ flpinr t* mt ~. V ' *--—, 15% OFF all Drymounting Now through September 7 th MurM flap'll prints • custom framing • dry mounting university mall 942-7306 Football '9B Jim Caldwell even better,” Caldwell said. “We were one game away from being bowl-eligi ble in 1997. ...That is our goal: to take that next step.” That next step starts Saturday in Colorado Springs against the option happy Falcons. The Deacs must get off to a good start early, because they finish up the season with UNC, UVa. and FSU and road See WAKE FOREST, Page 17 — mp a Wake Forest quarterback Brian Kuklick threw for 2,180 yards last year. Haircut j Zror I J OPEN: Mon-Fri ,10am-Bpm J " SUPBUJIh 141 Rams Plaza . (located off of 15-501, on the Bus Route) i/O / “Ufcfc O Find Your Game at Jp GOLF CENTER MM The Triangle’s Finest Driving Range! COME TRY US OUT! i Fully lit range 1 50 grass/mat hitting stations 1 FREE club rental 1 Top -name merchandise 1 PGA/LPGA teaching pros Finley's DRIVING RANGE is closed at least until late OCTOBER i Refreshments 1 Ample Parking t-J / ~~ 4 Sept. Bth is FREE Pepsi & _ Pizza Night v xfrom 7-9 pm Only 10 Minutes from UNC Campus!! Open 7 Days A Week: 10am-10pm 4343 Garrett Rd., Durham • 919-403-BALL (2255) We Welcome Back Tar Heel Students & Faculty! 15 Friday, September 4, 1998 ■ M Buy a V & Get a $3.50 - p Bucket FREE , when you present W your UNC Eat One Card Ms
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 4, 1998, edition 1
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