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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest’s 1992 football team was the first in program history to finish a season nationally ranked and the campaign was highlighted by a six-game winning streak and a come-from-behind victory in the Independence Bowl.
That group further cemented their legacy by becoming the first team to come together and give back through Excellence Fund giving — an award that was announced when nearly 60 players reunited to celebrate their 30th anniversary last month as the current Demon Deacons beat Liberty at Truist Field.
“I thought two things were huge,” said Jimmy Quander, who played on that championship team. “With a new defensive coordinator that year we started to gel a lot better, and started to disguise our coverage and blitz more effectively. Our pressure was elevated, I thought. It led to more plays being made on the defensive end, like turnovers and sacks. We were able to get off the field.
“And I thought (quarterback) Keith West started to click. That highlighted some of the offensive weaponry we had, because we had some great receivers, the best tight end (John Henry Mills) in the conference and a slew of great running backs. Keith was playing at such a high level.”
West threw for more than 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, while running back Ned Moultrie added 717 yards rushing. Wide receiver Todd Dixon had 51 receptions for 750 yards.
After losing back-to-back games against ranked ACC opponents, it was the senior leadership that responded for the Demon Deacons.
“That year started off like every other year,” Quander said. “We beat Vandy pretty good and then we had some momentum coming from that game. Maryland was probably the biggest game, and we beat them up there. I don’t think anybody thought we were going to knock Clemson off, but it put us in position to put together that great run.”
By the end of the season, the Deacs had earned an Independence Bowl berth and placed six players on the All-ACC team: defensive back George Goghill, offensive tackle Ben Coleman, Dixon, Mills, defensive lineman Mike McCrary and linebacker Maurice Miller.
Before the season began, Wake Forest coach Bill Dooley announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
“In college football the coaches are pivotal,” said Wendell Taylor, who played linebacker for the…
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