Conference: ACC
Coach Stats
Why should this nominee be considered for the Broyles Award?
Warren Ruggiero has help orchestrate not only one of the most potent offenses in the history of the program, but also one of the most prolific in the history of the ACC this season. The Demon Deacon offense is on pace to break the school record for total points, scoring offense as well as passing yardage and passing touchdowns. The Deacs 44.7 points per game this season ranks third in the nation and they are the only team in FBS to score 35 or more points in every game this season. In addition to having an explosive offense, Ruggiero has helped train Sam Hartman into being one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season. Hartman is a current semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and a Top 10 Finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as well as a candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award.
Coach's Past Performance
Over the last four seasons, Ruggiero has directed one of the most prolific offenses in college football.Ruggiero has coordinated a Demon Deacon offense that has set or tied over 300 offensive records in the past four seasons. The Deacons’ accomplishments over the last four years have included posting fourof the top five total offense seasons in school history. Since the start of the 2017 season, Wake Forest’s 103touchdown passes are the third mostACC team and the most of any four-year period in school history.2017-2019produced the three highest scoring seasons in school history with each club surpassing 400 points. Wake Forest’s 1,300 points scored during the last three years is the highest-scoring three-year period in Deacon history.While the Deacsdid not reach the 400-point barrier in 2020 due to playing in just nine game, Wake Forest added another offensive record to Ruggiero’s tenure. The Demon Deacons averaged 36.0 points per game, edging out the 2017 record of 35.3 points per game.Additionally since the start of the 2017 season, Wake Forest has a combined 12 games with 50 points or more, ranking second in the ACC.
Team Record and Standings
After climbing into the top 10 of the Associated Press and Amway Coaches Poll this week, the Wake Forest football team achieved its highest ranking in the College Football Playoff Poll in school history when it was released Tuesday night. The Demon Deacons were tabbed as the No. 9 this week according to the CFP selection committee. Wake Forest started 8-0 for the first time in program history. Additionally, the Demon Deacons is off to their first 5-0 start in conference play for the first time in program history. After scoring 55 points in Saturday’s game against North Carolina, Wake Forest remains the only team in the nation that has scored at least 35 points in every game this season. Since the start of the 2018 season, Wake Forest has been one of the best in all of FBS at finding the scoreboard first. The Deacs have scored first in 34 of their last 44 games or 77 percent, tied for second in FBS.
Team/Unit Stats
After scoring 55 points against North Carolina, Wake Forest remains the only team in the nation that has scored at least 35 points in every game this season vs. Old Dominion (42)vs. Norfolk State (41) vs. Florida State (35)at Virginia (37)vs. Louisville (37)at Syracuse (40)at Army (70)vs. Duke (45)at North Carolina (55)Wake Forest has scored 402 combined points this season, which is on pace to break the single season record from 2017 when Wake Forest tallied 459 points. Wake Forest followed that historic offensive season by scoring 427 and 414 points in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Wake Forest is currently averaging 44.7 points per game, which would be another school-record setting season. Coach Dave Clawson and Warren Ruggiero averaged 36.0 ppg. in 2020, 35.3 ppg. in 2017, 32.8 ppg. in 2018 and 31.8 ppg. in 2019.Wake Forest and Clemson are the only schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference to average over 30 ppg. over the past four years. The Demon Deacons are well on pace to achieve this mark again, while the Tigers are averaging just 19.9 ppg. entering Saturday.Only one other team in the history of the ACC has scored more points on average, the 2013 National Champion Florida State Seminoles (51.6 points per game).Additionally, the 2013 national championship Seminole team is the only team in the ACC to have a longer streak of consecutive 35-point scoring games. Wake Forest’s streak currently stands at nine games just four off the conference record.
Individual Player Stats
Sam Hartman finished the Deacs’ most recent contest with 25-of-51 for 398 yards and five touchdowns. This is the second time this season Hartman has tossed five TDs, tying a program record, as the redshirt junior is the only Demon Deacon in history to tally five passing touchdowns twice in their careers:5, Sam Hartman (at North Carolina, Nov. 6, 2021) 5, Sam Hartman (at Army, Oct. 23, 2021)5, John Wolford (vs. Louisville, Oct. 28, 2017)5, Riley Skinner (at Duke, Nov. 28, 2009)5, Jamie Newman (vs. Elon, Sept. 21, 2019)
Additionally, Hartman produced two rushing touchdowns, marking the first time of his career with back-to-back multi rushing touchdown games. Furthermore, Hartman has registered a rushing touchdown in five straight games, dating back to Oct. 2 against Louisville.Hartman became the first quarterback in Wake Forest history to have five consecutive 300-plus yard passing games. Over the past five games, Hartman has thrown the ball for 1,912 yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions while completing his passes at a 60.3 clip.Hartman remains fifth in Wake Forest history in career passing yardage after passing Mike Elkins (1985-88) and Gary Schofield (1981-83) to move into the top five last week against Duke. He heads into next week’s game just 107 yards from moving into fourth all-time:
Career Passing Yardage
Riley Skinner (2006-09) 9,7622. Tanner Price (2010-13) 8,8993. John Wolford (2014-17) 8,7944. Brian Kuklick (1994-98) 8,0175. Sam Hartman (2018-present)7,9116. Mike Elkins (1985-88) 7,3047. Gary Schofield (1981-83) 7,205.
Hartman’s five touchdown passes increased his career total to 60, tying Riley Skinner for the most career touchdown passes in Wake Forest history:
1. Sam Hartman (2018-Pres.), 60. Riley Skinner (2006-09), 60; 2. John Wolford (2014-17), 59 3. Tanner Price (2010-13), 52. 5. Gary Schofield (1981-83), 44. Brian Kulklick (1994-98), 44. 7. Mike Elkins (1985-88), 43. 8. Jay Venuto (1979-80), 37. Hartman’s seven touchdowns (five passing and two rushing) set a North Carolina record for the most touchdowns responsible for by a Tar Heel opponent. The previous high was six, which was set by the likes of Doug Flutie (Boston College), Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Tajh Boyd (Clemson) and Lamar Jackson (Louisville) In the performance, he also broke the school record for touchdowns responsible for with his seven on Saturday afternoon.Hartman currently ranks in the top 10 in nearly every passing category:
Hartman’s National Rankings: Stat National Rank Total Points Responsible For 3rd 214 Points Responsible For/Game 3rd 23.8Passing TDs 5th 27 Total Offense 5th 350.2 Yards/Completion 6th 15.28Passing Yards 8th 2,873 Passing Yards/Game 8th 319.2 Passing Efficiency 9th 168.9Yards/Pass Attempt 9th 9.54
