Update on Wake Forest's QB Situation for Pitt Game
PITTSBURGH -- Wake Forest appeared to have found a new starting quarterback last week against Virginia Tech, but an injury will force them to turn back to a previously unseated starter this week against the Pitt Panthers.
Redshirt junior Michael Kern made the first start of his career for the Demon Deacons last week while rotating with Mitch Griffis, who was the starter coming out of training camp. But after taking a hard sack against the Hokies, Kern is out for the Pitt game with a shoulder injury, according to a report from Les Johns of Demon Deacons Digest, meaning Griffs will retake the reigns this weekend.
Griffis has struggled as of late, failing to surpass 180 yards passing or a 60% completion rate while tossing just one touchdown to three interceptions during Wake Forest's current three-game losing streak. He was much better during their first three games of 2023 - all wins - when he completed 61.8% of his passes for 837 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Kern stepped in against the Hokies and was solid, completing 14 of 22 passes for 166 yards and no touchdowns but no turnovers as well. He exited with the Demon Deacons trailing 20-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
Johns added in his report that there is "nothing specific" either quarterback has shown that would force an opposing team to take special care in preparation for them, so he expects Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson to be forthcoming about the quarterback situation this week when he addresses the media.
Johns included further context from Clawson, who said this is similar to a situation his program had experienced in years past.
"I felt like we were kind of in this position in 2016." Clawson said following the loss to Virginia Tech. "John (Wolford) really struggled, then Kendall (Hinton) came out in the second half (at Duke) and played really well. Then he got hurt in the Delaware game. John came back and was a different player for the next year and a half."
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