Adams expected to carry the load for Wake

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe minces few words about his football team, even if his assessments include pointed critiques of himself.

Thinking back to last year’s Demon Deacons, a team that finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the ACC, Grobe said coaches missed the mark and should have called more often on running back Josh Adams.

“We missed the boat on that,” Grobe said at the ACC media kickoff.


Grobe said coaches were reluctant to use the former Cary High standout because he suffered several injuries during his sophomore season, requiring shoulder surgery aand treatment for his knee and ankle.

“We probably treated him too nicely,” Grobe said. “I hope that won’t be an issue this fall. We’re going to hand that guy the ball until his tongue is hanging out.”

Adams, the ACC rookie of the year in 2007, enters his senior season. He has 1,896 career rushing yards, which ranks 11th on Wake’s all-time career rushing list. He rushed for just 541 yards on 113 attempts.

With the graduation of four-year starter Riley Skinner, the Deacs must reconfigure their offense, which may include more option and running schemes. Grobe said his offensive line is built to lead a run-oriented offense.

Adams, he said, has developed into a more physical runner since arriving on the Winston-Salem campus. He’s listed 6-feet, 185 pounds and appears ready for heavy workload.

“I’m all about more running,” Adams said on Sunday.

-- Edward Robinson