The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Demon Deacons were led by eighth-year head coach Jim Grobe. Wake Forest played its home games at BB&T Field. The Deacons began their season on August 28 at Baylor. A win in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl against UConn gave the Deacons twenty wins over the last two seasons.
The team is finished 8–5 overall and 4–4 in ACC play, and beat Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on December 20.
Before the season
Roster changes Quarterback Zach MacDowell enrolled Coastal Carolina University in January, and will play there starting in 2008.
Running back Lucas Caparelli was dismissed from the university after an off the field incident in January.Student tied to threat is no longer at WFU
Recruiting On National Signing Day, the Demon Deacons received letters of intent from 17 players. Andrew Parker TE 6–5 225 Jacksonville, Florida Bartram Trail Terence Davis WR 6–1 180 Lilburn, Georgia Brookwood Gabe Irby OL 6–3 315 Mt. Airy, Georgia Habersham Central Ted Stachitas QB 6–3 185 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Nease Derricus Ellis DE 6–2 225 Rome, Georgia Darlington School Joey Ehrmann LB 6–4 210 Baltimore, Maryland Gilman Ramon Booi DL 6–6 330 Jacksonville, Florida Nease Scott Betros LB 6–1 220 Jacksonville, Florida Bolles School Riley Haynes LB 6–1 225 Jacksonville, Florida Nease Kevin Smith DE 6–4 210 Plano, Texas East Lovell Jackson RB 5–10 170 Tampa, Florida Plant Garrick Williams OL 6–4 314 Columbia, Missouri Rock Bridge J.T. Dixon TE 6–4 230 Chandler, Arizona Hargrave Military Chance Raines OL 6–2 270 Jacksonville, Florida Bolles School Joe Looney OL 6–3 315 Lake Worth, Florida Lake Worth Kenny Okoro CB 6–0 185 Greensboro, North Carolina Dudley Chris Givens RB 6–0 200 Wylie, Texas WylieSigning Day Central
Schedule
Roster Bold indicates started last game
Quarterbacks 6 Brett Hodges – Junior 10 Christian Hartford – Freshman 11 Riley Skinner – Junior 12 Skylar Jones – Freshman 13 Ted Stachitas – Freshman 15 Ryan McManus – Senior 32 Turner Faulk – Freshman
Running backs 14 CJ Washington – Freshman 20 Lovell Jackson – Freshman 22 Brandon Pendergrass – Freshman 27 Josh Adams – Sophomore 34 Willie Dixon – Freshman
Wide receivers 3 Devon Brown – Freshman 4 D.J. Boldin – Senior 7 Jordan Williams – Sophomore 8 Marshall Williams – Sophomore 17 Christopher Langley – Junior 18 Danny Dembry – Freshman 21 Andrew Wright – Junior 36 Casey Hill – Junior 81 Terence Davis – Freshman 82 Chris Givens – Freshman 86 Matt Hartford – Junior 88 Chip Brinkman – Senior
Fullbacks 23 Kevin Harris – Junior 35 Rich Belton – Senior 44 Mike Rinfrette – Junior 48 Anthony Williams – Junior
Tight ends 80 Andrew Parker – Freshman 83 Cameron Ford – Freshman 84 J.T. Dixon – Freshman 85 Ben Wooster – Junior 89 Kenneth Coe – Sophomore Offensive Linemen 61 Barrett McMillin – Junior 62 Doug Weaver – Freshman 64 Jeff Griffin – Junior 65 Gage Crews – Junior 66 Chance Raines – Freshman 67 Trey Bailey – Junior 69 Dennis Godfrey – Freshman 71 Ryan Britt – Freshman 72 Russell Nenon – Sophomore 74 Garrick Williams – Freshman 75 Michael Hoag – Freshman 76 Joe Birdsong – Junior 77 Boomer Peterson – Junior 78 Joe Looney – Freshman 79 Gabe Irby – Freshman
Linebackers 26 Jonathon Jones – Junior 32 Scott Betros – Freshman 35 Lee Malchow – Junior 39 Chantz McClinic – Senior 40 Kyle Jarrett – Freshman 41 Michael Potteiger – Junior 43 Stanley Arnoux – Senior 45 Riley Haynes – Freshman 46 Matt Woodlief – Sophomore 50 Joey Ehrmann – Freshman 52 Dominique Midgett – Junior 54 Collin Granger – Freshman 55 Tristan Dorty – Freshman 56 Hunter Haynes – Sophomore 57 Gelo Orange – Freshman 59 Aaron Curry – Senior 60 Barrett Powell – Freshman 63 Andrew Conroy – Senior
Cornerbacks 2 Alphonso Smith – Senior 5 Marcus Williams – Sophomore 6 Kenny Okoro – Freshman 17 Brandon Ghee – Junior 24 Michael Williams – Freshman 25 Josh Bush – Freshman 29 Kerry Major – Senior 37 Morgan Harris – Freshman Safeties 8 Geoff Wissing – Junior 9 Chip Vaughn – Senior 10 Kevin Patterson – Senior 21 Alex Frye – Sophomore 28 Cyhl Quarles – Freshman 30 John Stamper – Freshman 36 Peter Grimm – Freshman 37 Junior Petit-Jean – Freshman
Defensive ends 34 Antonio Wilson – Senior 42 Matt Robinson – Senior 53 Joe Hall – Freshman 54 Derricus Ellis – Freshman 90 Will Wright – Freshman 91 Kevin Smith – Freshman 93 Anthony Davis – Senior 94 Tripp Russell – Sophomore 97 Kyle Wilber – Freshman 99 Michael Lockett – Junior
Defensive tackles 51 John Russell – Junior 58 Michael Carter – Sophomore 87 Ted Randolph – Junior 92 Bryson Dunmeyer – Freshman 95 Ramon Booi – Freshman 96 Boo Robinson – Junior
Kickers 14 Shane Popham – Freshman 21 Andrew Wright – Junior 38 Sam Swank – Senior
Punters 14 Shane Popham – Freshman 38 Sam Swank – Senior
Long Snappers 53 Greg Bechtel – Junior 54 Collin Granger – Freshman
Kick returners 2 Alphonso Smith – Senior 3 Devon Brown – Freshman 21 Alex Frye – Sophomore
Punt Returners 2 Alphonso Smith – Senior
Coaching staff After the 2007 season, The Deacons had two assistant coaches accept other coaching positions. Defensive coordinator Dean Hood accepted the head coaching job at Eastern Kentucky.Hood leaves job at Wake Forest Quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen left the Deacons to assume the Offensive coordinator position at West Virginia.
Position Name First year at WFU Head coach Jim Grobe 2001 Secondary Tim Billings 2006 Quarterbacks Tom Elrod 2003 Defensive ends Keith Henry 2001 Defensive coordinator Brad Lambert 2001 Offensive coordinator / Offensive line Steed Lobotzke 2001 Defensive tackles Ray McCartney 2001 Assistant head coach / Running backs / Kickers Billy Mitchell 2001 Tight Ends / Fullbacks Steve Russ 2008 Wide Receivers Brian Knorr 2008
Game summaries
@ Baylor
In front of a national television audience, Riley Skinner threw for three touchdowns, including two to Chip Brinkman. Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass added touchdown runs in a lopsided 41–13 scoreline. Alphonso Smith and Alex Frye notched interceptions for the Deacons, who won their first ever game in the state of Texas.Wake Forest opens season with 41–13 win over Baylor
Ole Miss
Sam Swank's 42 yd FG with three seconds remaining gave Wake Forest a thrilling 30–28 win over Ole Miss. In a game with several lead changes, Ole Miss took the lead with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Wake quarterback Riley Skinner led the Deacons down the field in 53 seconds to set up Swank's game-winning field goal.Swank's 41-yard Field Goal Lifts #20 Wake Forest Past Ole Miss
@ Florida State
In a game that featured no touchdowns, Sam Swank made four field goals to lead the Demon Deacons to a 12–3 win in Tallahassee. The win was the Deacons' second consecutive win in Tallahassee, and the third straight overall over the Seminoles. The Wake Forest defense was stout, allowing Florida State under 250 yards of offense, and forcing seven turnovers, including five interceptions.Defense Forces Seven Turnovers in 12–3 Wake Forest Victory
Navy
Eric Kettani ran for a career-high 175 yards and backup quarterback Jarod Bryant scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Navy came into Winston-Salem and upset Wake Forest 24–17.No. 15 Deacons Downed by Navy 24–17
Clemson
Riley Skinner's 7-yard touchdown pass to DJ Boldin with 5:28 to go gave the Deacons a 12–7 win against Clemson. In a defensive battle, the Deacons' defense managed to hold Clemson to less than one yard per carry. Wake Forest dominated the game statistically but were unable to capitalize on several scoring chances. The sole turnover in the game was a Cullen Harper pass intercepted by Alphonso Smith, who tied a school record with his 17th career interception. Riley Skinner also threw for 186 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-34 passing, and also added 73 yards on the ground.Boldin's First Touchdown Catch Lifts No. 21 Wake Forest to 12–7 Victory
@ Maryland
Chris Turner completed 28-of-41 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown, and Maryland knocked off another top-25 team with a 26–0 thumping of No. 21 Wake Forest.Maryland Shuts Out No. 19 Wake Forest 26–0
@ Miami
Wake Forest was not able to maintain a halftime lead in falling against Miami. The Deacons were unable to mount much offense in the second half, and a Robert Marve QB sneak in the third quarter ended up being the game-winner. Fullback Mike Rinfrette scored the lone Deacons touchdown on a one-yard run on Wake's first offensive series.Hurricanes Drop Deacons, 16–10
Duke
In a back and forth affair, Wake Forest held off Duke 33–30 in an overtime battle. Alphonso Smith blocked a punt for a safety and had two interceptions for the Deacons, including one in overtime to end the game. Riley Skinner had a touchdown pass to DJ Boldin, and also scored on a quarterback sneak. The Blue Devils had their chance to win at the end of regulation, but missed a 42-yard field goal that would have won it. Aaron Curry led the Deacons with 16 tackles.Wake Forest Beats Duke 33–30 in Overtime Thriller
Virginia
On homecoming weekend in Winston-Salem, the Demon Deacons dazzled fans en route to a 28–3 halftime advantage. Riley Skinner threw two touchdown passes in the first half, including a 58-yard strike to Devon Brown. Kevin Patterson gave the Wake defense their first touchdown of the season, as e brought back a UVA pass for a 53-yard touchdown. Wake Forest turned more conservative in the second half, and allowed UVA to pick up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the lead was safe, and the Deacons claimed bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season.Wake Forest Defeats Virginia, 28–17
@ NC State
Russell Wilson threw the game-winning touchdown to Anthony Hill will ten minutes remaining, and NC State held off Wake Forest 21–17 in Raleigh. DJ Boldin had a hand in both Wake touchdowns, throwing a pass to Marshall Williams for a 64-yard touchdown, and catching a 7 yarder of his own. Williams had his first career 100 yard receiving day, grabbing 7 balls for 116 yards.Wake Forest Drops Close Contest at NC State
Boston College
Backup quarterback Dominique Davis scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak in the final minutes to send Wake Forest to their second straight close defeat. In a defensive battle, the Demon Deacon defense scored two touchdowns, and a punt block set up the third. Kevin Patterson and Kyle Wilbur returned fumbles for touchdowns, and Rich Belton caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Riley Skinner. This game also saw the return of kicker Sam Swank, who missed several weeks with injury.Boston College Defeats Wake Forest 24–21 on Senior Day
Vanderbilt
Three different Deacons ran for touchdowns as Wake held off Vanderbilt 23–10 in each team's regular season finale. Brandon Pendergrass, Kevin Harris, and Rich Belton got in the endzone, and Alphonso Smith tied the ACC record for career interceptions. The win guaranteed Wake Forest their third consecutive winning season.
Vs. Navy–EagleBank Bowl
Wake Forest scored 29 points in the last 31 minutes of action to win the inaugural EagleBank Bowl, and took revenge on Navy for a regular season defeat. Josh Adams got in the end zone twice for Wake Forest, who also got touchdowns from Ben Wooster and Rich Belton. Alphonso Smith intercepted a second quarter pass to break Dre Bly's ACC record for career interceptions. The Deacons outrushed the potent Navy option attack, led by a career-high 136 yards from Kevin Harris, and Riley Skinner set a FBS bowl record by completing eleven passes without an incompletion.Bowl Season Opens With Wake Forest Victory Over Navy, 29–19
Postseason
Conference All-ACC First Team DJ Boldin (WR) Aaron Curry (LB) Alphonso Smith (CB)