View From The Sideline - Week 3

It’s unfortunate that after a week of increased focus and intensity the team doesn’t have a chance to redeem itself this weekend against the rival Tar Heels. The upside is that we now have two weeks to prepare for ECU, a side that Wake has not beaten in its last 6 tries. However, there isn’t anyone on our team who doesn’t believe that this is the time to get that win. With both teams coming off close Week 1 losses and a second loss all but eliminating the potential for a championship, both sides are sure to come out firing. The unexpected off weekend can do nothing but help us - as long as we stay focused on the task at hand. Two weeks between games means two weeks to prepare - not a week off and then business as usual. Additionally, strength and conditioning sessions for the team have been set up for this weekend so that we do not lose the intensity that carried over from the second half against South Carolina.

One thing I noticed from the sideline about that second half against USC was that we drastically improved our offloads, quick ball off rucks, and ultimately sustained multi-phase drives down the field. This is something that we as a team have had a lot of trouble with before, but seeing it come together in that game and then working on it further in practice this past week should lead to some great scoring chances against ECU. Additionally, the speed of sophomore halfbacks Will Hank and Brendan Shea is finally starting to mesh with the power of rotating centers David Sage, Perry Salvagne, and Kip Lewis. And there is the expectation of further offense threats from the Wake backline as Tyler Vanston and the ever-dangerous Barrett Corrigan get set to return from injury, adding both depth and experience at multiple positions.

Hopefully this extra time off will give us time to heal and prepare for what is sure to be a physical game next Saturday in Greenville. If we can stay focused at practice and use the motivation of the brutal week 1 loss to continue improving, there's no doubt that we can put ourselves in a position to win.

- Ben Cohen, '12

Ben Cohen is a sophomore flyhalf who suffered a torn ACL in the first week of fall practice. He is currently rehabbing after surgery and expects to be back on the field for the start of the 2010-2011 preseason.