Wake Forest Football: 3 Takeaways from loss to Boston College

2. Wake Forest offense operated without Greg Dortch

Dortch entered the game leading the ACC in receptions and all-purpose yards, and had scored three touchdowns, including two off punt returns. Boston College’s defensive game plan and punting strategies were focused on not allowing him to make as big of an impact tonight.

The strategy worked. Dortch caught nine passes for 93 yards, most on the final drive of the game when Wake was desperately trying to come back. Dortch broke a huge play in the return game on his first return, but it was nullified by an illegal block in the back. Dortch was bottled up or

The running game picked up the slack, gaining 298 yards on the ground. The passing game suffered as Hartman completed only 44 percent of his passes. It also benefitted greatly from two costly BC special teams mistakes that gifted them 14 points. Wake Forest didn’t have any explosive plays, struggling mightily in the first half. The team found success running up-tempo early in the second half, but the Boston College defense tightened when it needed to.

The Demon Deacons will need Dortch to be his usual Superman self to win games against tough ACC foes, the offense just doesn’t have enough firepower elsewhere.