Wake Struggles Against USC

Wake Forest got beat handily on Saturday in an exhibition game with South Carolina. The Gamecocks were fitter and more physical than the Demon Deacons, using their hard-running forwards to create space for a talented backline. USC scored five tries in the first half, three coming directly from Wake Forest penalties inside their 22. Wake, meanwhile, could not find an offensive rythym and was constantly on the backfoot defensively. The Demon Deacons did manage two tries in the first stanza, one from sophomore scrumhalf Johnny McMurray after an excellent driving maul, and one from freshman center Ryan Tacon. McMurray converted both tries and also slotted a penalty goal for a personal tally of 12 first half points. The second half was more evenly contested, but Wake still struggled to stop the South Carolina forwards as they attacked off the fringes of the rucks. The Gamecocks ran in three more tries in the second forty, while Wake touched down two from juniors Brendan Shea and Ben Cohen.
Wake's fall exhibition season will end on Saturday when they take on the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh. Kickoff for the match is tentatively scheduled for 11am.

Wake Lineup vs USC

1. Matt Storck, Sr.

2. Jack Zimmerman, Fr.

3. Ty Pierce, So. (Justen Robinett, Jr. @ 60)

4. Matt McCurdy, Fr.

5. Ross Hilton, Sr.

6. Tim Zage, Fr. (Clarke Ryan, Fr. @ 60)

7. Brendan Shea, Jr.

8. Hunter Lostan, Sr.

9. Johnny McMurray, So.

10. Rob Kelly, So.

11. Jim Kavalec, So.

12. Matt Tucker, So. (Steve McMillen, Sr. @ 40)

13. Ryan Tacon, Fr.

14. Drew Chadwick, Sr.

15. Ben Cohen, Jr.