Let’s take a look inside the performance behind Wake Forest running back Matt Colburn and the offensive line that led them to a victory on the road against Louisville.
Matt Colburn was South Carolina’s Mr. Football four years ago and he was ready to take his talents to Louisville until Bobby Petrino pulled his scholarship two days before National Signing Day. He ended up at Wake Forest and he saved his best game of his career against the school that spurned him this weekend.
Colburn ran for 243 yards on 20 carries on the day against the Cardinals and there was nothing Brian VanGorder and his defense could do to stop him. He had touchdowns that went for 12, 56 and 74 yards as he gave the Louisville faithful something to think about had Petrino not wanted to greyshirt him.
The performance wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the superb play of the offensive line for the Demon Deacons. The line was able to reach step and get to the upfield shoulder of defenders to create lanes. Nathan Gilliam did a phenomenal job of sealing off the edge and giving Colburn the hole he needed to rope off the long runs. The interior line beat guys off the ball and moved their feet on contact to move bodies around and seal off defensive lineman.
Sam Hartman went for 223 yards on 16 of 23 passing along with two touchdowns. In the passing game, they played well against Louisville, a defense who show different blitzes and stunts in pass rushing. Wake Forest held it down, only giving up one sack on the entire game. Phil Haynes and Patrick Osterhage were able to call out blitzes and giving the entire offensive line a heads up of what was to come pre snap.
Wake Forest Faces Syracuse next week at home and if they want to beat them the offensive line will have to play the exact same as they did this past week.