UNC faces Wake Forest with Bowl Game on the line

by Sharon Thorsland

North Carolina is riding a two-game win streak headed into a prime time showdown against Wake Forest. The Tar Heels (5-4) bounced back from a four game skid with big road wins over Virginia and Florida State, and another win would make them bowl eligible. Standing in their way are the Demon Deacons, who are 4-5 on the season and coming off a home loss to Cal. Kick-off is set for 8:00 in Kenan Stadium.

Wake Forest has another new quarterback this season in Hank Bachmeier. The former Boise State and Louisiana Tech starter has thrown for 2332 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first season with the Demon Deacons. Bachmeier has spent much of his time running for his life behind a porous offensive line – he’s been sacked 27 times, as Wake is tied for 13th in the country in sacks allowed this season. UNC would like to add to that total. The Tar Heels have been on a defensive tear the past two games with 17 sacks. They’ve got 32 on the season, that ranks 4th in the country. Bachmeier’s top target is senior receiver Taylor Morin, he has 48 catches for 606 yards and a touchdown. Deuce Alexander and Horatio Fields have combined for 62 grabs and five touchdowns, and Donovan Greene is a big play threat, he’s averaging over 18 yards a catch with three scores. The run game is anchored by Demond Claiborne, he’s picked up 824 yards and nine touchdowns. The Deacs will face a UNC defense that has allowed just 26 points and less than 500 total yards in their last two games.

While the Tar Heels have been most of their offensive success running the football with superstar Omarion Hampton, they’ll no doubt be looking to throw the ball a lot in this game. Wake Forest has been awful defending the pass this season, ranking second to last in the country in passing yards allowed giving up 298 per game. The Deac’s top defender is defensive back Nick Andersen, who leads the team in tackles and has two interceptions and a forced fumble. Senior defensive lineman Kevin Pointer and linebacker Branson Combs are Wake’s other main playmakers. They put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks, combining for six sacks.

Both of these teams have plenty to play for in this game. UNC needs to win get become bowl eligible, and Wake needs two more wins to make the postseason. The Demon Deacons have won all three of their road matchups this season, including at NC State, but hasn’t won in Chapel Hill since 2006. And UNC has won the past three matchups in this rivalry, including a 36-34 victory in 2022. They should make it four in a row Saturday. Go Tar Heels!