Tussle in the Triad: the Deacs topple the Aggies 45-13

Preview: NC A&T Aggies (1-10, 0-8 in the CAA) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-8, 1-7 in the ACC)

Labor Day Weekend is the opening of the 2024 football season for two teams based on the Triad. Both are looking for improvement over 2023, as the NC A&T Aggies come away with only 1 win for the season, while the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have their 7-season in a row bowl game and winning season streak get snapped.

Making the short trek from Greensboro, the Aggies open the season with 6 consecutive weeks of games, so getting off to a fast start is imperative. With a young team led by quarterbacks Kevin White (487 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 2023), running back Wesley Graves (397 rushing yards/4.6 yards per carry), the offense looks to exceed last year's 16.1 point per game average. By the same token, the defensive core of Cameron Maddox, Kade Moledor, and Mack David II look to improve on last year's defensive effort (allowing 404.7 yards per game/30.6 points per game).

Opening the season at home, the Deacs look for stability at the quarterback position from either Louisiana Tech transfer Hank Bachmeier (2058 passing yards/67.7completion percentage/10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) or returning quarterback Michael Kern (647 passing yards/62.0 completion percentage/4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) to improve on last season's 20.3 points per game (and 197.3 passing yards per game). Running back Demond Claiborne (586 rushing yards/4.3 yards per carry/5 touchdowns) is expected to pace the running attack (along with serving as a kickoff returner), and the return of veterans Taylor Morin and Donavan Greene (who missed the entire 2023 season) should provide leadership within the wide receiving corps. On defense, Jasheen Davis (7.5 sacks in 2023) looks to lead the defensive front 7 to apply sound pressure and limiting any sense of offensive balance and confidence by NC A&T.

Recap: The Deacs' offense goes on a 31-point run to earn a season and home opening win.

Michael Kern would draw the start for Wake and at the 11:25 mark, would engineer the first scoring drive of the game. Capped off by a 7-yard run by Demond Claiborne, the Deacs take an early lead (7-0). The Aggies would eventually answer with a quarter-tying drive of their own, as Kenji Christian's 21-yard pivot leads to paydirt for A&T (2:29 in the 1st quarter).

The Aggies would get some separation and take the lead thanks to Andrew Brown's 38-yard field goal (6:49 in the 2nd quarter) to take a 10-7 lead.

With Hank Bachmeier under center for the Deacs, two scoring drives in the last 5 minutes of the 2nd quarter allows them to retake the lead. His touchdown pass (5:00 in the 2nd quarter) to Donavan Greene (and his ability to pivot and break a tackle) gives them a 14-10 lead, and to close out the 1st half (0:02 in the 2nd quarter), Matthew Dennis' 31-yard field goal results in a 17-10 halftime lead.

As if the combined halftime performance by the Blue and Gold Marching Machine (NC A&T) and the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black isn't electrifying enough, to open the 2nd half, Wake's special teams generate a much-needed explosive play. Taylor Morin's 73-yard punt return for a touchdown gives them their largest lead of the game (24-10) at the 12:54 mark.

The Deacs' offense would maintain momentum with additional scoring drives as Bachmeier would toss 2 additional scores (to Horatio Fields and Deuce Alexander), as the lead would extend to 38-10. The Aggies would snap the Deacs' 31-point run at the 11:05 mark of the 4th quarter with a 51-yard field goal by Andrew Brown (38-13).

Tate Carney would score on a 2-yard plunge (5:37 in the 4th quarter) to extend the lead to 45-13 and close with their first win of the season.

Post-game: Wake wins and looks to build as they prepare for their ACC opener against the Virginia Cavaliers (September 7, 2024).

Despite having the edge in time of possession (36:21) and averaging 4.2 yards per carry (44 rushing attempts for 185 yards), the Aggies are limited to 13 points, including scoring 3 in the 2nd half. Sparked by the special teams play of Taylor Morin, Wake's 31-point run accentuates their offensive advantage in total yards (513 to 337) along with doubling the passing output of the Aggies (320 to 152).

Wake head coach Dave Clawson speaks to the team's slow start in the first half and eventually getting in rhythm in the second half. However, there are aspects of the team play which are in need of improvement leading into their first ACC game of the season next week (September 7, 2024, at 7pm) against Virginia, let alone the need for the team playmakers to make big plays consistently if the team wants to reach their goals for the 2024 season.

Kevin Pointer (defensive tackle), Nick Anderson (safety), Taylor Morin (wide receiver/punt returner), Hank Bachmeier (quarterback), and Demond Clairborne (running back) field our questions during post-game, as they speak to the team's overall play and areas of focus leading into next weekend.

The Deacs are led on offense by quarterback Hank Bachmeier (18/28 for 263 passing yards and 3 touchdowns), Demond Claiborne (17 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown), Taylor Morin (217 multipurpose yards, including his 73-yard punt return for a touchdown along with 6 receptions for 100 yards), along with Donavon Greene, Deuce Alexander, and Horatio Fields contributing a touchdown (receiving) apiece. Nick Anderson's 14 total tackles (9 solo) and a sack apiece by Kevin Pointer, Branson Combs, and Jasheen Davis, contribute to the winning effort.

The Aggies look to rebound against Winston-Salem State for their home opener (September 7, 2024, at 7pm). Kenji Christian's 100-yard effort (16 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown) lead the offense. Quarterback Kevin White (10/15 for 116 yards) and strong safety Ty Williams (7 tackles/5 solo) look to help the team get to the .500 mark next weekend.

Notes: For our college football coverage (including previous seasons), you may visit our section (click HERE). To watch all 2024 team video (including full interviews), you may visit our playlist (click HERE).

All video and the first photo-grid are credited to CCS (click HERE to visit our Instagram). The second grid is credited to DC Photography 336 (click HERE to visit their Instagram).