# 2021 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

The 2021 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by eighth-year head coach Dave Clawson, and played their home games at Truist Field at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Demon Deacons clinched the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2006 and appeared in the ACC Championship game against Pittsburgh.

## Preseason
### ACC poll

The ACC media days were held on July 26, 2021. In the conference preseason polls, the Demon Deacons were predicted to finish in fifth place in the Atlantic Division.
Atlantic :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Clemson | 1,028 (146) |
| 2 | NC State | 804 (1) |
| 3 | Boston College | 638 |
| 4 | Florida State | 510 |
| 5 | Wake Forest | 472 |
| 6 | Louisville | 462 |
| 7 | Syracuse | 202 |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Old Dominion* | | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC | ACCN | W 42–10 | 25,673 |
| September 11 | 12:00 p.m. | Norfolk State* | | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC | ACCNX/ESPN+ | W 41–16 | 21,896 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida State | | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC | ESPN | W 35–14 | 29,564 |
| September 24 | 7:00 p.m. | at Virginia | | Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA | ESPN2 | W 37–17 | 38,699 |
| October 2 | 12:30 p.m. | Louisville | No. 24 | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC | ACCRSN | W 37–34 | 29,077 |
| October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | at Syracuse | No. 19 | Carrier DomeSyracuse, NY | ESPN2 | W 40–37 $^{OT}$ | 38,554 |
| October 23 | 12:00 p.m. | at Army* | No. 16 | Michie StadiumWest Point, NY | CBSSN | W 70–56 | 38,019 |
| October 30 | 4:00 p.m. | Duke | No. 13 | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC (rivalry) | ACCN | W 45–7 | 31,613 |
| November 6 | 12:00 p.m. | at North Carolina* | No. 9 | Kenan Memorial StadiumChapel Hill, NC (rivalry) | ABC | L 55–58 | 50,500 |
| November 13 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 16 NC State | No. 12 | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC (rivalry) | ACCN | W 45–42 | 34,503 |
| November 20 | 12:00 p.m. | at Clemson | No. 10 | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC | ESPN | L 27–48 | 81,048 |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 18 | Alumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MA | ESPN2 | W 41–10 | 25,854 |
| December 4 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 15 Pittsburgh | No. 16 | Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC (ACC Championship Game) | ABC | L 21–45 | 57,856 |
| December 31 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. Rutgers* | No. 17 | TIAA Bank FieldJacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl) | ESPN | W 38–10 | 28,508 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time ||||||||
Source:
^ The game against North Carolina, a fellow member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, was played as a non-conference game and did not count in the league standings. This was done because the two rivals otherwise only play once every six years due to conference divisional alignment.

## Coaching staff

| Position | Name | First Year at Wake |
| Head coach | Dave Clawson | 2014 |
| Asst head coach / Receivers | Kevin Higgins | 2014 |
| AHC Defense/defensive line | Dave Cohen | 2014 |
| Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks | Warren Ruggiero | 2014 |
| Defensive coordinator / Safeties | Lyle Hemphill | 2017 |
| Special teams coordinator / tight ends | Wayne Lineburg | 2017 |
| Assistant special teams coordinator / Nickelbacks | Ryan Crawford | 2018 |
| Running backs | John Hunter | 2014 |
| Offensive Line | Nick Tabacca | 2014 |
| Cornerbacks | Paul Williams | 2020 |
| Linebackers | Greg Jones | 2016 |
| Special teams analyst | LaTroy Lewis | 2021 |
| Source: |||

## Game summaries
### Old Dominion

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Monarchs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Demon Deacons | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
Statistics
| Statistics | ODU | WAKE |
| First downs | 17 | 20 |
| Total yards | 272 | 352 |
| Rushing yards | 145 | 164 |
| Passing yards | 127 | 188 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:19 | 27:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Old Dominion | Passing | Hayden Wolff | 11/17, 88 yards, TD |
| Old Dominion | Rushing | Elijah Davis | 12 rushes, 69 yards |
| Old Dominion | Receiving | Stone Smartt | 3 receptions, 26 yards |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 18/27, 188 yards, 3 TD |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Beal-Smith | 11 rushes, 74 yards, 2 TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 4 receptions, 81 yards, TD |

### Norfolk State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Spartans | 3 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
| Demon Deacons | 7 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 41 |
Statistics
| Statistics | NORF | WAKE |
| First downs | 19 | 22 |
| Total yards | 336 | 413 |
| Rushing yards | 141 | 161 |
| Passing yards | 195 | 252 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 38:39 | 21:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Norfolk State | Passing | Juwan Carter | 19/31, 195 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Norfolk State | Rushing | J. J. Davis | 6 rushes, 42 yards |
| Norfolk State | Receiving | Justin Smith | 5 receptions, 66 yards |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 17/25, 244 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Beal-Smith | 9 rushes, 60 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Jaquarii Roberson | 4 receptions, 97 yards, TD |

### Florida State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seminoles | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Demon Deacons | 14 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 35 |
Statistics
| Statistics | FSU | WAKE |
| First downs | 16 | 27 |
| Total yards | 317 | 484 |
| Rushing yards | 91 | 225 |
| Passing yards | 226 | 259 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 20:47 | 39:13 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida State | Passing | McKenzie Milton | 11/16, 119 yards, 2 INT |
| Florida State | Rushing | Treshaun Ward | 6 rushes, 48 yards |
| Florida State | Receiving | Ontaria Wilson | 3 receptions, 91 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 22/31, 259 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Beal-Smith | 19 rushes, 95 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 7 receptions, 155 yards, TD |

### At Virginia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Demon Deacons | 10 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 37 |
| Cavaliers | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | UVA |
| First downs | 24 | 31 |
| Total yards | 473 | 506 |
| Rushing yards | 203 | 99 |
| Passing yards | 270 | 407 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 29:27 | 30:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 17/29, 270 yards, 3 TD |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 13 rushes, 86 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Jaquarii Roberson | 4 receptions, 91 yards |
| Virginia | Passing | Brennan Armstrong | 33/59, 407 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Virginia | Rushing | Mike Hollins | 6 rushes, 36 yards |
| Virginia | Receiving | Dontayvion Wicks | 8 receptions, 114 yards, TD |

### Louisville

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 34 |
| No. 24 Demon Deacons | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 37 |
Statistics
| Statistics | LOU | WAKE |
| First downs | 25 | 26 |
| Total yards | 517 | 501 |
| Rushing yards | 208 | 177 |
| Passing yards | 309 | 324 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:36 | 25:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Louisville | Passing | Malik Cunningham | 19/26, 309 yards, 2 TD |
| Louisville | Rushing | Jalen Mitchell | 17 rushes, 89 yards |
| Louisville | Receiving | Tyler Harrell | 1 reception, 75 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 23/40, 324 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 15 rushes, 67 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Jaquarii Roberson | 6 receptions, 135 yards |

### At Syracuse

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| No. 19 Demon Deacons | 3 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 40 |
| Orange | 7 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 37 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | SYR |
| First downs | 21 | 33 |
| Total yards | 426 | 514 |
| Rushing yards | 96 | 354 |
| Passing yards | 330 | 160 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:10 | 33:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 19/32, 330 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Beal-Smith | 17 rushes, 63 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 3 receptions, 137 yards, 3 TD |
| Syracuse | Passing | Garrett Shrader | 15/27, 160 yards, 2 TD |
| Syracuse | Rushing | Garret Shrader | 29 rushes, 178 yards, TD |
| Syracuse | Receiving | Courtney Jackson | 5 receptions, 64 yards |

### At Army

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Demon Deacons | 14 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 70 |
| Black Knights | 7 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 56 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | ARMY |
| First downs | 22 | 31 |
| Total yards | 638 | 595 |
| Rushing yards | 180 | 416 |
| Passing yards | 458 | 179 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 17:17 | 42:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 23/29, 458 yards, 5 TD |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Beal-Smith | 8 rushes, 71 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Jaquarii Roberson | 8 receptions, 157 yards, 3 TD |
| Army | Passing | Jabari Laws | 9/11, 140 yards, 3 TD |
| Army | Rushing | Tyhier Tyler | 15 rushes, 104 yards, TD |
| Army | Receiving | Isaiah Alston | 6 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD |

### Duke

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Blue Devils | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| No. 13 Demon Deacons | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 45 |
Statistics
| Statistics | DUKE | WAKE |
| First downs | 12 | 29 |
| Total yards | 315 | 677 |
| Rushing yards | 160 | 266 |
| Passing yards | 155 | 411 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:55 | 36:05 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Duke | Passing | Gunnar Holmberg | 10/18, 110 yards |
| Duke | Rushing | Mataeo Durant | 20 rushes, 103 yards |
| Duke | Receiving | Jalon Calhoun | 3 receptions, 50 yards |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 24/37, 402 yards, 3 TD |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Turner | 10 rushes, 75 yards |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A.T. Perry | 7 receptions, 116 yards |

### At North Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Demon Deacons | 10 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 55 |
| Tar Heels | 14 | 10 | 10 | 24 | 58 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | UNC |
| First downs | 35 | 31 |
| Total yards | 615 | 546 |
| Rushing yards | 217 | 330 |
| Passing yards | 398 | 216 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:27 | 33:33 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 25/51, 398 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 13 carries, 81 yards |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Jaquarii Roberson | 7 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Passing | Sam Howell | 16/26, 216 yards, TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Ty Chandler | 22 carries, 213 yards, 4 TD |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Antoine Green | 6 receptions, 83 yards, TD |

### No. 16 NC State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Wolfpack | 6 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 42 |
| No. 12 Demon Deacons | 7 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
Statistics
| Statistics | NCST | WAKE |
| First downs | 25 | 27 |
| Total yards | 482 | 406 |
| Rushing yards | 74 | 116 |
| Passing yards | 408 | 290 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 28:20 | 31:40 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 37/59, 408 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person Jr. | 8 rushes, 40 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 10 receptions, 133 yards, 2 TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 20/47, 290 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 17 rushes, 57 yards, 2 TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD |

### At Clemson

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 10 Demon Deacons | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
| Tigers | 10 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 48 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | CLEM |
| First downs | 24 | 25 |
| Total yards | 406 | 543 |
| Rushing yards | 36 | 333 |
| Passing yards | 370 | 210 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 26:08 | 33:52 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 27/43, 312 yards, TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Quinton Cooley | 8 rushes, 41 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 5 reception, 113 yards |
| Clemson | Passing | DJ Uiagalelei | 11/19, 208 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Clemson | Rushing | Kobe Pace | 24 rushes, 191 yards, 2 TD |
| Clemson | Receiving | Beaux Collins | 4 reception, 137 yards, TD |

### At Boston College

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Demon Deacons | 14 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 41 |
| Eagles | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Statistics
| Statistics | WAKE | BC |
| First downs | 25 | 9 |
| Total yards | 413 | 182 |
| Rushing yards | 177 | 163 |
| Passing yards | 236 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 36:13 | 23:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 20/32, 236 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Christian Turner | 18 rushes, 54 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 4 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD |
| Boston College | Passing | Phil Jurkovec | 3/11, 19 yards, TD, 2 INT |
| Boston College | Rushing | Phil Jurkovec | 11 rushes, 85 yards |
| Boston College | Receiving | Trae Berry | 1 reception, 15 yards, TD |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | RV | 24 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 15 |
| Coaches | — | — | — | RV | 25 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 14 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 9 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 17 | Not released |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 4 | 140 | Zach Tom | OG | Green Bay Packers |
| 6 | 214 | Ja'Sir Taylor | CB | Los Angeles Chargers |
Source: