Final Thoughts - Wake 44, Navy 24

This was a very important game for the Demon Deacons. Now, when I say that what I mean is that it was a game we not only needed to win, but that we needed to come out in and execute and show that we are really a solid team with the ability to put all the pieces together. If you recall I predicted we would lose to FSU because I didn't believe we had everything together yet in such a way that would allow us to win. Last week we won and for the most part we looked like we had it together.

Today against Navy the Deacs showed that we are a team with all its pieces together. It was a performance we needed to prove to ourselves that we were a team poised to run the table. We needed to prove the same thing to the rest of the ACC and the rest of the country. Everyone knew Navy would score some points today; there was no way Wake would come out knowing exactly how to shut down a very potent option attack. The offense needed to score points early and often to allow our defense time to settle in and stop Navy. The offense did exactly that, scoring 14 points in the 1st quarter. As expected, the defense allowed Navy to score some points, giving up 10 in the first and another 7 in the 2nd to give up the lead. What did we need to see? We needed to see a defense that wouldn't give up. Thankfully they didn't. Aaron Curry laid some big hits, including the one that injured Navy's QB Kaipo, and Alphonso Smith forced a fumble to allow Matt Robinson to score at TD. Right then everything came together.

Wake owned the 2nd half. We scored another 17 points and only gave up 7, putting together sustained time consuming drives, exhibiting strong running by both Josh Adams and Micah Andrews, solid passing from Riley, and another good effort from Kenny Moore. Josh had 131 yards and a TD, and in limited action Micah gave us 32 important yards. Riley looked as good as he has all year, completing 22 of 28 passes for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kenny Moore had 181 receiving yards and caught both of Riley's TD passes. What more can we ask for?

I really don't think there's any significant negatives I can comment on. We played well. We played hard. We got a well deserved win and looked good doing it. I'm fully satisfied.

Also of note - Coach Grobe burned true freshman Jordan Williams' redshirt. I only saw him thrown to once, where the Navy defender was called for PI. I assume Grobe wouldn't burn a redshirt like this unless he expected significant contributions from him the rest of the season, so I look forward to seeing what he's got.

Great job Deacs, keep up the good work!