Revisiting the five keys
Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0 ACC) coaches, players and fans have had more than 48 hours for the 28-27 win over North Carolina (1-1, 0-1 ACC) to sink in.
It is time to look at how the Demon Deacon faired in the "Five Keys" against the Tar Heels.
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1) Give Price time
--- UNC only sacked Tanner Price once, which is impressive when considering the circumstances. Wake has struggled with injuries up front since early in the pre-season, and was forced to throw redshirt freshman right tackle Dylan Intemann in against an athletic and experienced Tar Heel defensive line.
2) Price to Campanaro
--- Larry Fedora and his coaching staff knew Price was going to give Michael Campanaro his share of throws and then some, but that did not matter.
Camparo caught a school record 13 passes for a career-high 164 yards.
3) Establish the run
--- The run-game continues to be the Achilles Heel of Wake Forest's offensive attack. Against Liberty the Deacs ran 38 times for a lowly 98 yards, and declined to 34 carries for 64 yards versus North Carolina.
The anemic number can largely be attributed to the lack of depth and experience on the offensive line and Wake's great dependence on its aerial attack.
4) Corralling Bernard
--- North Carolina's All-ACC running back Giovani Bernard did not play, so this key is non-applicable. However, his backups A.J. Blue and Romar Morris combined for 33 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns, exposing Wake Forest's run-defense as an area in need of improvement.
5) Getting to Renner
--- Hasan Hazime all-in-one sacked Bryn Renner, forced him to fumble and recovered the ball. Justin Jackson sacked the UNC redshirt junior quarterback, while Mike Olson also put a hit on him.
The Demon Deacons only recorded 11 sacks last season, but already have made four in two games.