Previewing the Presbyterian College Offense

Well folks, it’s hard to believe it, but football season is now less than a week away, as Wake Forest opens its season next Thursday night against Presbyterian College at BB&T Field.

With that, we take a look at the PC offense, and what we can expect to see from them.

Before we begin though, it may be fun to take a look back at a very interesting play PC ran the last time it played at BB&T Field:

The Deacs shouldn’t give up more than two touchdowns in this game, and if they do the team is in serious trouble the rest of the season.

But if they do give up a touchdown, I hope this play is still in the playbook, as I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. Though I would hope Wake is a little better prepared for it this time.

Wake Forest beat PC 53-13 in 2011, and 31-7 in 2013, both at BB&T Field.

Let’s take a look at this year’s team though.

“I don’t set out thinking that we need to be at a certain point at a certain time, but the main thing is that all of the variables are there,” said head coach Tommy Spangler, who is back as the coach after serving as the head coach until 2005 and as the defensive coordinator the past few seasons.

“I’ve talked to the team about where do we want to take this thing?” said Spangler. “Where do WE want to be? To me, football is the greatest team sport that there ever was. Ultimately, where do you, as a player, want to go? As a player, I have to take care of me and become a more consistent, steady player. And if I do that, then the WE has a chance.”

For more quotes from Coach Spangler, check out Vic MacDonald’s articles for the Clinton Chronicle.

Presbyterian has nobody on the Pre-Season All Big South Conference team.

Unfortunately because they are the smallest school in the FBS with only about 1200 students, and in the small town of Clinton, South Carolina, there is not much information available on the Blue Hose.

But what we do know is that almost a fifth of all men at PC are on the football team, as team has 105 members and there are a little under 600 male students.

And of course PC’s reason for playing Wake is for the substantial check to help upgrade their facilities.

Last year PC went 2-9, averaged only 8.9 points per game, and scored only 98 total points all season. Needless to say their offense has a ton of room for improvement.

They rushed for 1105 yards with 4 rushing touchdowns, averaging 2.9 yards per rush and 100.5 rush yards per game.

The Blue Hose passed for 1551 yards, going 168-302, and throwing for five touchdowns and 11 interceptions. They averaged 5.1 yards per pass, 9.1 yards per catch, and 141 passing yards per game.

In total the offense managed 2656 yards on 682 plays, with an average of 3.9 yards per play, and just 241.5 total yards per game.

The offense was sacked 13 times for 86 yards all season.

PC was 42/159 on 3rd down, good for just a 26% conversion rate, and 9/18 for a 50% conversion rate on 4th down.

The Blue Hose converted only 7 out of 13 field goal attempts last season.

Redshirt Junior Ben Cheek returns at quarterback, after starting in all 8 games he played in last season. He went 95-173 for 2 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and 837 yards.

Cheek is also the leading returning rusher, as running back Darrell Bridges who rushed for 721 yards last year graduated. The roster features 7 running backs, but it is likely that sophomore Glass Wilson will get the start against the Deacs, unless one of the freshmen overtakes him in practice. Potential starters other than Wilson include Torrance Marable who originally committed to Arkansas State, Zola Davis, DeAngilo Drayton, and David Dramble.

Junior DaShawn Davis led the team in receiving last year with 42 catches for 455 yards and a touchdown, and figures to be the top receive again this year. Senior Marquez Watson is also back at wide receiver after hauling in 24 catches for 251 yards and 2 touchdowns last year.

The offensive line features senior Jerius Duncan who started in all 10 games he played in last year, junior Tobias Hagins who started in all 11 games last season, and several other players who either redshirted or played in but did not start games last year.

Wake Forest’s defense is not as experienced this year as last, but should have ample opportunities to showcase its abilities against Presbyterian’s offense.

Look for a preview of PC’s defense soon.