Virginia Tech Football: Previewing The Wake Forest Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Warren Ruggiero

Scoring Offense: 15.1 PPG (126th nationally)

Passing Offense: 170.5 YPG (112th nationally)

Rushing Offense: 34.1 YPG (128th nationally)

Quarterbacks:

Freshman quarterback John Wolford was given the reins of the Wake Forest offense by head coach Dave Clawson this summer, and has experienced his share of growing pains. Wolford has completed 172 of his 299 pass attempts in 2014 for 1,626 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Not all of the 2-8 Demon Deacons' struggles can be placed at the feet of the new signal caller however.

Wolford has been pressured and hit on a routine basis this season. Thanks to a porous offensive line  and a lack of offensive weapons , any hope of success has been snuffed out. However, what Wolford does bring to the table is an accurate arm, poise beyond his years, and potential. As the growing pains subside, the Deacons may find Wolford a viable long term option behind center.

Tied at 17, Wake’s Dave Clawson said he’s thrilled it’s still a ball game and FR QB John Wolford showing courage and poise. #CLEMvsWAKE

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 7, 2014

Running Backs:

The Wake Forest backfield has only gained 341 net yards in 2014, ranking 128th which is dead last nationally. Senior running back Orville Reynolds is the team's most dependable runner, and mentor to an otherwise young core of backs. This season Reynolds has rushed for 170 yards on 69 attempts without a touchdown. Reynolds uses his speed and great footwork to elude defenders, and has the potential to change a game on one play.

A pair of freshman lead Wake Forest in most rushing categories this season. Dezmond Wortham sat out 2013 as a redshirt while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in high school. This season he leads the school in rushing yards with 192 on 67 attempts, albeit without finding his way to the end zone either. Fellow freshman Isaiah Robinson leads the team in attempts with 77, and rushing touchdowns with three. The 5'10", 225 pound Robinson is a bruising runner and short yardage threat.

Receivers:

Wake Forest lost Michael Campanaro—who collected a school record 229 career receptions—to the NFL draft and have struggled to replace his production this season. Redshirt senior E.J. Scott should be a familiar foe to the Hokies from his days as a slot receiver for rival Virginia. Scott transferred to Wake Forest for his senior season, and has contributed a team leading 434 receiving yards for the team this season. Scott had already forged a friendship with the aforementioned Campanaro, making his transition to the Demon Deacons a smooth one.

Scott has 42 receptions and four touchdowns in 2014, both statistical ties with freshman tight end Cam Serigne. The 6'3", 235-pound Virginia native is also second on the team in receiving yards with 408. Serigne is similar to the Hokies own tight end Bucky Hodges, a freshman who has surpassed the expectations set upon him this spring. He is a big red zone target for Wolford, and appears fully recovered from a chest injury that slowed him down recently.

Sophomore receiver Jared Crump has added 30 receptions and 309 yards while senior Matt James rounds out the receiving corps with 285 yards on 25 catches.

Outlook:

On paper the Demon Deacons offense doesn't appear to pose much of a threat to the Hokies this weekend. But, as Tech faithful have repeatedly learned in 2014, games aren't won or lost on paper. If Virginia Tech can keep the focus and intensity it had against Duke, another win should be in order. If there's a regression to the October version of the team, the Hokies could find themselves in another fight with a team of less talent.