Wake Forest Football: 3 takeaways from Birmingham Bowl

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BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 22: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks to pass against the Memphis Tigers in the first quarter of the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on December 22, 2018 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. There could be a quarterback controversy in 2019

Sam Hartman was having himself quite the freshman season for Wake Forest. He had over 1,600 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, but suffered a season-ending injury in his ninth game, giving way to sophomore Jamie Newman.

No one expected Newman to come in and do anything more than just hold the team over until next season and do just enough to lead the Demon Deacons to a bowl game. He went on to lead Wake Forest to two wins in its final three games, including a big one over NC State and a 59-7 blowout of Duke on the road to become bowl eligible.

Newman looked like a star yet again during the Birmingham Bowl despite a lackluster completion rate, but he passed for __ yards and a touchdown while rushing for another 91 yards and three scores.

The sophomore has started four games and has gotten better each time out, it seems, and he has nine touchdowns to just three interceptions in that span.

Though Hartman will be the favorite to start the season, Newman’s dual-threat ability — assuming he works on that accuracy — makes him an intriguing option.

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