Wake Forest defense gets physical

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Wake Forest defense doesn't have a reputation as being a very physical unit.

You couldn't tell that to Clemson. The Tigers lost the services of four offensive starters against the Demon Deacons on Thursday night.

Clemson was forced to play without running back C.J. Spiller (hamstring), wide receiver Tyler Grisham (foot) and both their starting offensive guards, Cory Lambert (ankle) and Mason Cloy (ankle).

Spiller watched most of the game in street clothes after injuring his hamstring in the second quarter. Late in the second quarter, Spiller took a handoff and ran around the right end for a game-high 10 yards and promptly limped off the field and did not return.

The Tigers made a couple of other lineup changes.

Defensive end Kevin Alexander started in place of Da'Quan Bowers, who has been limited with a wrist injury. Bowers did see action throughout the game.

Freshman Dawson Zimmerman replaced Jimmy Maners at punter in the first half. Zimmerman, who had been limited with a hamstring injury, had not punted since the opener against Alabama.

Fake punt?

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden tried an ill-advised fake punt in the second quarter against the Deacons.

Facing a fourth-and-1 at the Wake Forest 47-yard line, the Tiger offense initially stayed on the field and appeared ready to go for the first down.

After several seconds, Bowden called a timeout to discuss his options. After a lengthy TV timeout, the Tigers' punting unit trotted onto the field.

But instead of punting, the ball was snapped directly to up back Michael Hamlin.

The Deacons were not fooled on the play, as defensive end Anthony Davis stuffed Hamlin for no gain. Wake Forest took over with 4:32 left before halftime.

The Swank factor

Wake Forest place-kicker/punter Sam Swank suffered a quad strain in practice on Monday and did not play against the Tigers.

Without its All-ACC kicker, Wake Forest was forced to rely on redshirt freshman Shane Popham, who had yet to play for the Deacons.

Popham missed his first field goal attempt, a 29-yarder, in the first quarter when the snap was bobbled by holder Ryan McManus.

Popham later connected on a 22-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter, but missed his third try, a 39-yard attempt in the second half.

The loss of Swank also forced the Deacons to punt from the Clemson 35. Swank is 9-for-12 from beyond 50 yards during his career.

Popham became the only Deacons player other than Swank to convert a field goal since 2004.

Offensive woes

Clemson's vaunted offensive attack was less than nonexistent in the first quarter against the Deacons.

The Tigers offense was held to minus-3 yards on eight plays in the first quarter. The Deacons had 120 yards on 12 plays.

Proehl 'Opens The Gate'

Wake Forest has started a new tradition this season by having a celebrity/alum "Open The Gate" to let the Deacons on the field. Former Deacons wide receiver Ricky Proehl did the honors Thursday against the Tigers.

Proehl had 188 career receptions for 2,949 yards and 25 TDs from 1986-89. Proehl played 17 seasons in the NFL for six teams, including the Carolina Panthers.

Scouts in the house

A total of 42 NFL scouts were on hand for the game, a record at BB&T Field. Twenty-six of the 32 NFL teams were represented in the press box.

Pre-game flyover

Three Longbow Apache helicopters flew over the stadium minutes before the opening kickoff. The helicopters are based out of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.