Wake Forest Football Offensive Preview

I can't even remember the last time Cal played Wake Forest. Probably because it's never happened before. Again.

Wake Forest was founded as the Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute, where boys as young as 12 could trade manual labor for religious training at the facility. Founded as a Baptist College, their nickname was often the “Baptists” or “The Old Gold & Black”, until 1923 when they beat Trinity College (the precursor to Duke) and the student paper referred to them as the “Demon Deacons” for their “devilish play.”

Wake Forest has a relatively new tradition called “Open the Gate,” which was established in 2008. This tradition honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities by having the honoree ride on the back of a motorcycle with the mascot as they lead the football team onto the field.

Don’t touch my motorcycle, you inconsequential peasant.

Of course, only important Wake Forest heroes are allowed on the back of the motorcycle, like former star of The Bachelor, Matt James.

Wake Forest runs a variation of the RPO offense known for its “slow mesh” concept. The idea behind the slow mesh RPO is to isolate defenders with both run and pass responsibilities (e.g. linebacker, safety). And with the slow mesh, it’s not just about reading a single player, it’s often reading multiple defenders before making that RPO decision. Same as it is for the run-pass option (RPO) offense, the general idea is to find where you have the numbers advantage—in the pass or the run—and take advantage of that. If the defense commits defenders to stop the run, you have pass lanes open, and if they defend the pass, you have run lanes open. The idea is to make the defense wrong regardless of the option they pick.

QB Hank Bachmeier very slow mesh handoff

There are a few common ways that teams defend this. You can play full man coverage, and force their players to beat your players. If you have a strong defensive line or a creative blitz package, individual effort can blow up a play (i.e. it doesn’t matter if the QB or RB is holding the ball on the mesh when a defender crashes through the line to attack that mesh). You can slow play the slow mesh RPO, in which you first defend pass (so the offense reads: run) and then immediately crash down on that run, but this gives up small but consistent chunks of yardage.

This also presents a unique challenge to the offensive line and will look strange to defensive players who haven’t seen before. As a quick reminder, an ineligible man downfield penalty is when an ineligible receiver (say, an offensive lineman) is blocking more than 3 yards downfield on a pass thrown past the line of scrimmage. See here for an example (or two): https://i.imgur.com/pcGE140.png.

This means that on the slow mesh, offensive linemen have to defend every play like it’s a pass. If you’re a linebacker and you see an offensive lineman coming up to meet you, you know that you are playing the run. On the slow mesh, the offensive line has to stay put and allow the run defenders to come to them at the line of scrimmage, even on designed run plays. This makes it a lot harder for the defense to guess if it’s a run or pass play, and probably also feels a little weird to defend.

Because offensive linemen can’t block downfield in the case of a pass, this often leaves linebackers unblocked as an OL will instead double team a down lineman (the “duo” concept). This means that although there are unblocked linebackers, there are also more running lanes for the running back to choose from, and the RB needs to find that empty gap (and you check the RB section here to see how that goes).

Defenses can struggle because it’s unique and quite different to defend, so how much preparation are you really doing for something you only see once a year (sorry, 2022 David Shaw)? The bye week came at an opportune time for Cal.

Now let’s take a look at some of the key players that will be running this offense for Wake Forest.

Quarterback

The Demon Deacons are led by the 6th-year senior, former Boise State and Louisiana Tech transfer QB Hank Bachmeier. Hank also happens to be the older brother of Stanford wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier and Stanford commit QB Bear Bachmeier. Wake Forest runs a unique offense that relies on the quarterback consistently making the correct read, and who better to run such an offense than a very experienced quarterback?

First, because the slow mesh is a type of RPO-offense, it’s important to have a quarterback with the athleticism to run the ball when it’s time to keep it on that RPO. Although Bachmeier isn’t going to set the world on fire with his speed or shiftiness in the open field, his solid frame and stout running style allows him to pick up chunk yardage when he keeps the ball himself:

QB Hank Bachmeier keeps it for 16 yards

Bachmeier is sturdy, and can survive the tackle to keep the play alive:

QB Hank Bachmeier survives the sack and runs it himself for a first down

Although Bachmeier can be affected by pressure, he generally shows good poise; often times not panicking or rushing the throw as he tries to buy some extra time for his receivers:

QB Hank Bachmeier buys time in the pocket to find RB Tate Carney wide open for the 39 yard TD

Here’s an example where Bachmeier felt pressure, but stayed collected enough to fire off a nice back shoulder throw for the touchdown:

QB Hank Bachmeier stays calm against the blitz to make a nice back shoulder throw to WR Taylor Morin for the 19 yard TD

Bachmeier will often leave the pocket under pressure, making half-field reads and throws on the run:

QB Hank Bachmeier stays calm in the pocket and then makes a tight window throw to WR Taylor Morin for 20 yards on the 4th down conversion

This is just a toughness play, where Bachmeier knows he’s going to get hit but makes the throw anyway:

QB Hank Bachmeier hits WR Deuce Alexander against the blitz for 17 yards

Here’s another example where he stays calm to find the open receiver:

QB Hank Bachmeier makes a nice throw as he's being sacked to WR Taylor Morin for 32 yards

Bachmeier’s accuracy can be inconsistent, but it’s better when he has time and sets his feet on the throw (although he doesn’t have overwhelming arm strength either):

QB Hank Bachmeier has time and makes a nice throw deep to WR Micah Mays for 41 yards

With corners often isolated in man coverage, Wake Forest likes to mix in deep shots down the field. And although Wake Forest is often attacking the middle of the field (as a result of the slow mesh pulling those run/pass defenders into run support), I think Bachmeier’s best throws are touch throws that he layers over defenders on shots down the sideline (i.e. to the outside):

QB Hank Bachmeier makes a great throw over the defender for a 42 yard catch by WR Horatio Fields

And another nice shot to the outside:

QB Hank Bachmeier makes a nice throw for 31 yards to WR Horatio Fields - catch didn't survive the ground on review

And again, with this play probably pre-determined:

QB Hank Bachmeier makes a nice throw over the defender to WR Horatio Fields for 31 yards

Of course, the above plays are highlights, and not really a standard representation of the throws he will always make. In fact, this outside shot happens to be one of his least often successful throws, and often puts the onus on his receiver to make that play. A good counterpoint:

QB Hank Bachmeier throws it too far inside for WR Micah Mays Jr for the INT

Like most quarterbacks, Bachmeier is affected by pressure, and more liable to make a mistake when he’s rushed. On the following play, he knows his receiver will be open, but is unable to connect on the throw:

QB Hank Bachmeier rushes the throw under pressure and misses the potential TD

The next play is honestly a pretty cool screen pass, with the entire offensive line as a vanguard of blockers. Here, the offensive line intentionally lets the pressure through for the screen, but Bachmeier is unable to connect on the throw even knowing that the pressure is coming:

QB Hank Bachmeier rushes the throw under pressure off-target again - interesting screen here

Here Bachmeier just makes a bad read in trying to force this throw:

QB Hank Bachmeier makes a bad read as he tries to force the throw to WR Deuce Alexander for an INT by S Kylon Griffin

Bachmeier’s accuracy can be inconsistent at times. Although he excels on quick read throws like this slant, even that throw isn’t a given:

QB Hank Bachmeier misses the open receiver on the slant

I feel like Bachmeier can overcompensate on some throws when trying to fit them into tight windows, resulting in a ball thrown too hard and/or less accurately:

QB Hank Bachmeier throws a bit behind WR Taylor Morin and an INT on the deflection

Another good example of this:

QB Hank Bachmeier throws too hot for WR Horatio Fields for a deflection and interception

Bachmeier doesn’t have exceptional arm strength, so when it comes to the deep ball, he will often either sail the throw or (more likely) underthrow it, forcing his receiver to adjust:

QB Hank Bachmeier underthrows WR Deuce Alexander deep as Alexander had a step deep

Bachmeier’s backup is long time Wake Forest backup and another sixth year senior in Michael Kern, who briefly started for the Demon Deacons in the season-opener. He wasn’t as efficient as Bachmeier in that opening game, and I haven’t really seen enough to judge him, but he did have this nice throw:

QB Michael Kern makes a nice throw down the sideline to WR Jaydn Girard for 25 yards

(That’s the only other “Jaydn” to play in the FBS this year, by the way).

Expect to see a lot of short yardage throws, particularly over the middle of the field, based on the reactions of the non-box defenders.

Running back

The real engine that drives this offense is the running back, Demond Claiborne; one of the most underrated running backs in college football. Claiborne is a very talented back, and the offense lives and dies by his play. When he’s in, Wake Forest is a dangerous team on the ground, and the run game has to be respected, which opens up the passing game. Without him, the offense struggles to do either. Nationally ranked Ole Miss and Clemson had dominant defensive lines which were able to disrupt the run game at the point of attack, and Wake Forest suffered blowout losses as a result (40-6 Ole Miss, 49-14 Clemson). Wake Forest’s other two losses were Virginia and Louisiana (formerly Louisiana-Lafayette if you weren’t aware), which was a come-from-behind victory for the opponent in both games. Wake Forest also squeaked by with 3-point victories over Stanford and UConn after being outscored in the 4th quarter of both games. The common denominator? Claiborne’s absence late in the 4th quarter.

(As a brief aside, you might think the Louisiana game isn’t the best example of this because Wake Forest still scored late in that game with their backup running back. However, in my view, this was a result of four defensive starters being ejected for Louisiana, at which point, WF finally started having more success on offense. It just happened to be the very same ACC ref crew for the Cal-Miami game which couldn’t identify a targeting hit that checked all of the boxes for targeting, when just one was required. The offense was still much better with Claiborne, it was that Louisiana’s defense suddenly got a lot worse).

And Wake Forest’s only come-from-behind victory? It was at NC State, where Claiborne had 11 of his 20 carries plus 2 receptions on the final two drives, which both resulted in touchdowns.

A lot of times when I write these articles, I struggle trying not to use too many platitudes when describing players, particularly because I only want to focus on a player’s positives, which might often miss half the picture. It’s hard to express something like last week’s running back was fast, but this week’s running back is also fast, but also he doesn’t have negative traits that I didn’t want to mention about last week’s running back. So I end up saying meaningless things like “running back fast” or something.

I don’t have this problem with Claiborne, because there is one particular area where Claiborne excels like no other opposing running back I’ve watched this year: his patience and his vision. It’s an absolute necessity in Wake Forest’s slow mesh offense (and a big reason why David Shaw’s Stanford team failed in its adoption, despite their historical offensive line talent), and perhaps Claiborne’s exceptional vision was improved as a result of the style of play. Claiborne has to be able to find the ideal running lane when facing unblocked linebackers, and he often has to wait until the last possible moment to decide where that is as the defense closes in on him.

Here Claiborne does a great job of finding his lane, and makes a great cut to beat the defense:

RB Demond Claiborne shows good vision and makes a man miss for the 32 yard TD

On this play, it doesn’t look like any of it was planned, but Claiborne is able to weave his way in and out of traffic and still somehow pick up a first down:

RB Demond Claiborne patient run shows good vision to find the first down marker - needed as a result of the slow mesh style

Claiborne isn’t known to be a homerun hitter, but he still has plenty of speed:

RB Demond Claiborne gets free for the 60 yard TD

In my view, Claiborne’s burst is much more impressive:

RB Demond Claiborne shows off the burst for a 17 yard TD

Claiborne will try to make defenders miss in the open field, and he’s particularly fond of the spin move:

RB Demond Claiborne spins off a tackle for a 32 yard run

Although Claiborne isn’t the type of runner to bulldoze through tacklers, his initial acceleration lets him break a lot of weak arm tackles:

RB Demond Claiborne runs through arm tackles for the 3 yard TD

Claiborne isn’t a huge part of the passing game, but he has received a lot more targets this year as Wake Forest looks to stretch the field, as Claiborne should command the defense’s attention:

RB Demond Claiborne makes a nice move after the catch in the flat to make 2 defenders miss for 11 yards

This is probably the only time I can recall him running an actual route (more than just vacating to the flat):

RB Demond Claiborne drops the screen pass thrown a bit behind him

I think Demond Claiborne is an NFL talent worth at least a late (5th-6th?) round pick, but yet I haven’t heard anything about him in NFL circles. Claiborne is the best running back Cal will have faced this year (Pitt’s Desmond Reid is really good, but more so as a dual running/receiving threat), and will be the best running back Cal will face this year (until perhaps the final week of the regular season against SMU). Cal will have their hands full in trying to stop Claiborne.

Claiborne’s relief is the seemingly stockier Tate Carney. Carney runs with a low center of gravity and, in contrast to Claiborne, is absolutely looking to run through defenders instead of past them. Carney probably isn’t going to take it to the house, but he will break some tackles:

RB Tate Carney breaks a couple tackles to pick up the first down

And here he runs through some ankle tackles to pick up the first down in what was likely a short yardage play call:

RB Tate Carney breaks a tackle at the line for 14 yards

Any time you truck a Stanford defender, you find your way into my highlight clips:

RB Tate Carney runs through a tackler for 14 yards

Here Carney gets an assist, but you can see just how low to the ground he runs while making sure he’s always falling forward:

RB Tate Carney stuffed initially but keeps his legs moving and gets a push for 6 yards

Stopping the Wake Forest run game will be key to stopping this offense, and forcing Wake Forest to rely heavily on Claiborne early may cause them to struggle down the stretch.

Receivers

Wake Forest does a good job of distributing the ball to different receivers. Their most talented receiver in my opinion is Donavon Greene, who has been out with an injury since Week 5’s game against Louisiana. Head coach Dave Clawson remarked at a press conference earlier in the week that Donavon Green “is doubtful; consider it about 50/50." Still, he’s worth covering in the event that he plays, because he’d likely have a big impact.

Greene is an NFL-caliber receiver, although his injury history may have a negative effect on his draft stock. He’s a very polished receiver with solid receiver fundamentals: body positioning, strong hands, and contested catch ability.

WR Donavon Greene catch down the seam for 31 yards

Here he does a nice job of adjusting to the throw:

WR Donavon Greene makes a nice catch down the sideline for 24 yards

Greene does a good job of hanging onto the ball even when he has to take a big hit. Here he hangs on despite contact:

WR Donavon Greene makes the catch despite the hit - QB Hank Bachmeier hit as he throws

He’s a strong runner with the ball:

WR Donavon Greene makes up for the illegal blindside block on the previous play by breaking off a 24 yard TD on the screen

Here’s another example where he does a good job of adjusting to the throw in the air and again hangs onto the ball despite the hit:

WR Donavon Greene nice catch between two defenders for 24 yards

Greene has strong hands and does a good job of making catches with his hands instead of his body:

WR Donavon Greene strong hands with the catch away from his body

Bachmeier’s favorite receiver is the primary slot receiver, Taylor Morin (although he’s lined up wide more often since Greene’s injury), who leads the team in receptions. Wake Forest’s offensive scheme results in a lot of targets over the middle of the field, and Morin is the team’s leading receiver as a result. Although Morin isn’t the biggest receiver, he’s a crisp route runner with the ability to quickly get separation.

WR Taylor Morin catches the deep over route and nice run after the catch for 51 yards

Morin can get open quickly, although he’s not generally known for an ability to pick up a lot of yards after the catch, here’s a nice one:

WR Taylor Morin nice run after the catch for 19 yards

Here he does a good job of adjusting to a less than ideal throw:

WR Taylor Morin nice catch on the low throw over the middle for 20 yards from QB Michael Kern

On the outside is Horatio Fields, who is actually the team’s most targeted receiver (although those outside deep shots have a much lower success rate than Morin’s middle of the field targets). Here Fields does a good job of high-pointing the football:

WR Horatio Fields catches the jump ball in double coverage for the 23 yard TD

And here’s another nice catch with his hands, but I think this throw shows Bachmeier’s trust in Fields: this is a throw you make when you can count on your receiver to go up and get the ball for you:

WR Horatio Fields makes a nice catch over the DB for the 31 yard TD - Bachmeier trusts his receiver on this throw

The third most targeted receiver behind Fields (52) and Morin (51), is the backup slot receiver, who has an impressive 46 targets for 29 catches despite playing in relief:

WR Deuce Alexander gets open on the slow mesh, then breaks off a big run of 38 yards

Although he’s not as wide open as Morin usually is, here he makes a nice contested catch:

WR Deuce Alexander makes a nice catch in tight coverage

The backup to Donavon Greene is the redshirt freshman Micah Mays Jr., who has been pretty sharp in relief of Greene. Here he smokes the corner to get wide open:

WR Micah Mays Jr beats the Stanford corner to get open for the 30 yard TD

And here’s a play where he had some nice yards after the catch:

WR Micah Mays Jr fights through tackles to pick up extra yards

Wake Forest isn’t a team that uses their tight ends as receivers very often, but this is the starting tight end, Harry Lodge:

TE Harry Lodge gets 31 yards on the fake screen pass

And while the following isn’t a receiving play, this block goes straight to the highlight reel:

RB Demond Claiborne gets a great block by TE Harry Lodge to help set up a 48 yard run

Wake Forest will spread the ball and has a lot of depth at the receiver position to choose from.

Conclusion

Everyone knows that Cal has a really good defense, but the Wake Forest offense will present a unique challenge for the defense schematically. Justin Wilcox has outschemed innovative offenses in the past, like the Mike Leach Air Raid. Will Wilcox have the answers to the Wake Forest Slow Mesh RPO? I don’t think the Cal defensive line will be able to overpower the offensive line consistently, but I think that their receivers will have their hands full with the Cal secondary. I don’t know how Cal will will attack the WF passing game, but hopefully the defense can slow Demond Claiborne enough that we get to find out. The Cal offense should be able to put up points on a Wake Forest defense that ranks in the bottom-15 in the FBS, so the WF offense will determine whether this game is uncomfortably close in the 4th quarter, or if there’s a reason that Cal is touchdown favorites on the road.

Go Bears.

You can find my full clips here.