WINSTON-SALEM – When the season began, offense was a phase of the game that wasn’t expected to be a big issue for Wake Forest given the returning experience led by standout quarterback Riley Skinner.

Now there are some doubts in the wake of the Demon Deacons having scored just 13 points in losses to Clemson and Navy since rolling for 516 total yards and 42 points against Maryland.

Wake head coach Jim Grobe admits that the Deacons played poorly in a 38-3 loss at Clemson, but liked the team’s effort outside of three holding penalties that killed second-half drives in a 13-10 setback at Navy. Grobe discounted the Navy game because of severe weather conditions that included a driving rain and a stiff wind – a combination that caused Skinner to shy away from throwing any deep passes.

Wake struggled to get 178 yards of offense at Clemson, but managed 308 against Navy.

“The bottom line is scoring points,” Grobe said. “If you aren’t scoring points, you don’t think your offense is doing well. I give Clemson’s defense credit for our struggles there, and then I don’t know what to think about the Navy game because the weather was so rough.”

The Deacons have dropped to sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in total offense at 280.2 yards per game heading into Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. contest with No. 18 Miami.

“In practice, the offense is clicking,” tight end Ted Randolph said. “There’s no one real thing you can put it on. Things happen and you just have to roll with it.

“We need to execute. We can’t have as many three-and-outs, and as many penalties that stop ourselves. You go through some down times each season. It’s just a slump and I believe we will work out of it.”

Grobe said no demotions of starting offensive linemen are planned after some reserves received added playing time in the second half against Navy.

“The guys (who are starting) are the guys,” Grobe said.

Grobe also said that linebacker Hunter Hayes, defensive end Kyle Wilbur and tailback Kevin Harris practiced Monday night and might play this Saturday after missing games with injuries.

Harris suffered a groin injury against Elon. Wilbur broke his leg in the second game of the season. Haynes sprained a knee against Maryland.

gsmith@hpe.com | 888-3519