Urgency exists for Wake Forest to make the most of a trip to the West Coast. The Demon Deacons (3-4, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) take on host Stanford (2-5, 1-3) on Saturday. Wake Forest has won two of its last three games but must continue climbing out of an early hole to approach bowl eligibility.
"For us, to get a fourth win and go out there and get it before the bye week is very important if we want to get where we want to get," Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. Stanford will play on homecoming a week after getting crushed at home to nationally ranked SMU. The Cardinal, losers of four straight, also got blown out by Clemson, which is now in the Top 10.
"I look at Stanford as a good team with a hard schedule," Clawson said. "Sometimes your record is a function of what your schedule is." Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier will play in his home state.
His brother Tiger Bachmeier is a Stanford receiver. But the big question involving the Cardinal might be at quarterback. Freshman quarterback Elijah Brown of Stanford came on in relief in the SMU game, throwing for a touchdown and two interceptions.
He took the place of Ashton Daniels, a junior. "We're not sure what quarterback we're going to see," Clawson said. Stanford coach Troy Taylor said Brown has been making strides.
"We kind of brought him along," Taylor said. "He has had a lot of reps through fall camp. I think he'll continue to feel more comfortable.
" Stanford's 133 yards per game on the ground aren't enough.