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Sam Hartman has a lot of work to do.
Coach Dave Clawson knows it and says it, Wake Forest leaders know it, most – if not all, Wake Forest fans know it and the opposing players and coaches know it.
Hartman will not be replaced either, except injury, as a quarter starting deacons. Not only because it is the best option, but also for what it could be in the future – that is, in the last three games and its last three seasons.
Look no further than opponent quarterback Eric Dungey in the Syracuse 41-24 win on Saturday at BB & T Field, for the reason that Hartman is the future of deacons.
"When their senior quarter was a freshman and a sophomore, he returned it. Now he's older and he's not doing it anymore, "Clawson said of Dungey, who had 157 rushing yards and 119 points against the Deacons. "When John Wolford was a freshman and a sophomore, he returned it. As a junior and senior, he did not do it.
Syracuse runs the offense that most closely resembles that of Wake Forest within the ACC, and Dungey conferred on Orange a 22nd rank. He is the example.
The challenge, which was then announced by Clawson, accelerates Hartman's timeline to stop turning the ball now, instead of waiting for the seasons to come. Wolford did not have the luxury that Hartman has now, in terms of game leaders to kick the ball.
"You lose the battle of 3-0 business numbers, you will not win," Clawson said. "It's part of Sam's development. I'm proud of him, he's a good competitor, I think he's done an incredible job this year as a real freshman.
"But he was responsible for three turnovers today and their senior quarterback had zero. We have to force Sam not to return it now.
Wake Forest's defense dropped 41 points, yes. But one of the five Syracuse touchdowns was in a 10-yard possession, another on a 57 yard rushing 30-yard penalty in the Wake Forest. The clashes have been a problem all day, but according to Redshirt linebacker Justin Strnad, the first half of Saturday's game was "one of the best defensive football halves we've played all year."
Saturday's turnovers were paralyzing, all in different ways.
First, in the first possession game with the Deacons leading 10-7 in the first quarter, the ball slipped from Hartman's hand as he headed for a quick screen. Syracuse (7-2, 4-2) recovered on the 10-yard line from Wake Forest and put four games to score, scoring a lead he never let go.
The next round was held in the penultimate game of the third quarter, with Wake Forest coming off his first stoppage after three consecutive touchdowns. The Deacons escaped the shadows of their own goal in the first race of the 6, but Hartman and running back Matt Colburn II missed the ball on the third and one goal and the Orange went to the Deacons.
"The fumble of the exchange, me and Sam, it really, really killed us. It was a crucial point. I have to do better as a senior and as a leader, "said Colburn. "We felt good, the defense had a huge stop and things like that just can not happen. We would have lost, scored, made a four-point match … that just can not happen. "
The final case figure came as Wake Forest pulled from behind at 17 and 5½ minutes – an inevitable hole, but more crazy returns took place. The interception of Christopher Frederick in Scotty Washington's goal area, however, put an end to any chance of a comeback.
"We're putting a lot of pressure on him right now. As he leaves, we leave, "said Clawson. "And it's a hell of a lot for a rookie quarterback when you're not playing well in defense. "Hey Sam, you have to lead us to a win and, by the way, we'll probably have to score between 35 and 42". It's not an easy task, but that's where we are.
"Last week, he and we did it. This week, he and we did not do it. "
Hartman was 5-in-16 for 51 yards in the first half. When Wake Forest was most in need of an answer, Wake Forest was 7-for-7 for 96 yards and two touchdowns. And came the sloppy exchange.
Wake Forest is attached to Hartman, so he needs to grow even more than he has in the past two months.
"Sam is great, he's a young man, no matter. He can dance. It's just the point, point. He may panic, Colburn said.
The question that will have to be answered for the rest of the season is whether he can do it well enough for Wake Forest to win two more games and qualify for a bowl.
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