A combined 448 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns out of the Wake Forest backfield in the previous two games has become a source of pride for the Demon Deacons offense.
“There's not a lot better things than that,” offensive lineman Sean Maginn said. “Just practice. We had that extra bye week because (the Notre Dame game got postponed). I think we really came in knowing the plan, and then you go out and execute the plan somewhat perfectly. It really feels good that all that hard work kind of paid off and then you get rewarded, looking up and seeing almost 300 rushing yards (last week against Campbell).”
For running backs Christian Beal-Smith and Kenneth Walker III, who split the majority of the reps at the running back position, it's exactly the type of electricity the two have been wanting to generate on the football field.
The duo that refers to itself as “Thunder and Lightning” has surged as of late, accounting for 405 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in games against Campbell and North Carolina State, with each producing a three-touchdown game in that stretch.
“It all starts with the O-line,” Beal-Smith said. “O-linemen are doing a great job. They're working hard doing medicine balls and individuals during our practices. They're just busting their tails. And we couldn't thank them enough for doing that. As far as Kenny, me, our running back group, we’re just playing lights out. We’re just trying to do what we can do.”
As for who qualifies for “Thunder” and “Lightning,” Beal-Smith said, “we’re a combination of both.”
Maginn said he’s happy to block for both guys, just needing to give them a crease and they’ll find their way.
“I think as a unit, we're doing really well,” Maginn said. “Kenneth Walker and Christian Beal-Smith, you block for them for a solid four seconds, and then you just kind of watch. It's just amazing what those two can do. It's been a lot of fun this year.”
The Demon Deacons are off today, the result of the Campbell game being pushed up to last Saturday after the postponement of the Notre Dame game due to coronavirus complications.
“We’re just looking to build on top of that,” Beal-Smith said. “Things are gonna get tough, and we're gonna have to play some great teams ahead of us. We know we have to follow the game plan. That is the most important thing and if we do that, we know that we're putting ourself in a position where we can win the football game. And that's what we just need to do.”
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There’s no jealously between the two tailbacks or any reluctancy in splitting reps.
“Me and Christian, we always compete, but we keep each other going and push each other,” Walker said. “When he’s doing good, I’m excited for him. When I’m doing good, he’s excited for me. It’s always good to compete because we make each other better.”
Instead, it provides for that competition and a much-needed breather, the two said.
“It’s actually a very helping thing because every single drive you can't be in because you're making your body tired,” Beal-Smith said. “As you're not in the game, you're watching, you're trying to see what the opponents are doing. That makes it easier for when you go out there, you already know w what defense they have been in and what blitzes they have brought, so it's more of a teaching period for you.”
