Wake Breakdown

Another game, another flat effort. More of the same from this team, at least the past 4 games. Our team didn't quit, but I'm not sure it's quite the learning experience everyone has proclaimed it to be (I'm looking at you Don Bailey Jr.). This same game happened last year against Virginia. So do we have to learn every year, with the same core players, on how not to quit? If so, sign me up for consistent 8-4 seasons.

Jacory did have a "good" game statistically. But it doesn't take into account the "should have been" interceptions for touchdowns (2) and other dropped potential interceptions. Yes, we got a big fourth down conversion. What we don't discuss is how Hankerson dropped the big 3rd down on the play before, or how Jacory kept going deep despite us having receivers wide open on underneath crossing routes on the first down marker.

Kudos are in order to our defense for playing better and only allowing 7 points in the second half, and for our entire team for not quitting. But our coaching staff has shown an inability to adjust on the defensive side. Offensively, Navy came out and ran all over them. It dumbfounds us why we can't come out and do the same, but that has to fall on the coaching. When your offense doesn't execute and you can't run the ball effectively against an average team, at best, then at some point you have to question the brass. Here are our grades

Offense

QB - B-: Jacory threw for over 300 yards, with 3 TDs and 1 interception, but there were several dropped interceptions and on that final drive he kept forcing the ball deep. He consistently says he has to check down and take what's given to him, but he hasn't really done it yet.

RB - C-: Cooper ran for 27 yards and Berry had 26 yards. Our run game was non existent, totaling 26 yards in total (including sacks). A lot of the blame falls on our Offensive line, but a lot of it falls on our backs as well. Berry ran tough and strong, but Cooper still dances too much and he missed a whole lot of blocks in pass protection..

OL - D: Poor protection, missed assignments, poor run blocking. After play better last weekend, they came out and thoroughly unimpressed.

WR - B+: The only reason they aren't at an A is because of the sporadic drops here and here. We did a good job getting open and blocking downfield. They played very well.

TE - C: Not much action from them, Jimmy ran the wrong routes and Epps was a ghost for most of the game. They need to step up and help exploit the middle of the field better.

Coaching - C-: We didn't really attempt to run the ball consistently on a team that can be run on. Even a 1 dimensional Navy ran the ball on them.

Defense:

Dline - C-: The ran for over 100 yards and they threw for over 400. No pressure was generated at all from our front four, Allen Bailey aside. They need to play better, injuries or not. Even our backups should be able to handle the Wake Forest Oline.

Linebackers- C: Sharpton is horrific in every aspect of the game. He can't get off blocks, he's even worse in coverage, and is trying to be the team's best "worst tackler". He's good at reading a play, but pretty poor everywhere else. Mccarthy struggles in coverage as well, and although he had an off game, he's a great run stopper and reads the plays very well. Cookie played well enough for a young player learning a new position, but we need to see some more growth from our LBs

DB - C-: Vaughn played pretty average, but Randy Phillips was out of position all day. Jared Campbell had an interception hit him in the face and bounce 15 feet into the air into DVD's hands, which was fortunate, but he has to come up with that interception. Speaking of DVD, he had a good day, but Brandon Harris had one of his worst in a Miami uniform.

Coaching D: We played better the second half, but we still have glaring holes and gave up 500 + yards. That's a bad day no matter how you slice it.

Special Teams

Coverage- B+: We recovered a muffed punt and did a good job protecting against returns.

Return- B: We need to start breaking kicks, but there weren't any really "bad" returns. It's time to put in Thompkins for Mike James, or another speedster.

Coaching- B: See above.