Maryland linebacker Moise Fokou was predictably curious about last week’s Wake Forest-Clemson game.
Several Terrapins made sure they watched a sneak preview of the Demon Deacons, Maryland’s opponent Saturday. Yet the most telling glimpse of the night could have come from the Wake Forest bench.
It was there kicker Sam Swank stood, nursing a strained right quadriceps and watching backup Shane Popham make two of four attempts in his stead.
The difference was jarring. Popham missed twice from inside 40 yards; Swank is 23-for-25 from that distance in his last 21 games.
“The cameras were on Swank a lot on the sideline,” Fokou said. “Every time the other guy went on, it felt like the whole team was uncomfortable. They must have a lot of faith in this guy. He’s proved himself the last three years.”
He just might not get the chance when the No. 21 Demon Deacons (4-1, 2-0 ACC) visit the Terps (4-2, 1-1).
Swank, who also handles Wake Forest’s kickoff and punting duties, is questionable for Saturday. It is a significant development for both teams because he can change the tenor of a game perhaps more than any other kicker in the country.
The NCAA’s active leader with 70 field goals, Swank is 9-for-12 in his career from 50 yards and beyond. Most college kickers aren’t reliable beyond 40 yards.
“It was kind of a shock,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said of Swank’s injury. “We didn’t have him for Clemson, and that was a real problem. We may not have him for Maryland. Probably the coaches take a guy like that for granted until you don’t have him. Even though we feel really good about Shane Popham, without Sam’s experience every time he goes out it makes you a little nervous.”
At the same time, Swank’s absence relieves some nerves on the other side. The senior is such a fixture on Wake Forest’s roster that Maryland center Edwin Williams was astonished this week when he read Swank is still in school.
Williams, a fifth-year senior and a third-year starter, has a deep appreciation for Swank’s talents.
“When you’re playing a game where offense and defense are evenly matched, special teams might be a key factor in deciding the game,” Williams said. “Wake Forest’s kind of had that upper advantage having Sam Swank in there. He’s an amazing player. I respect his game. Most people don’t give punters or kickers any love, but he’s on my A-list.”
Swank’s steadiness yields a little flexibility for the Wake Forest offense, which has struggled at times this season - especially in the red zone. Yet drives that stall outside the 30 aren’t always for naught with Swank healthy.
The Demon Deacons don’t need to drive quite as far as most teams to enter field goal range, a potential boon in late-game situations. One of those came last month, when Swank hit a 41-yarder in the final seconds to clinch a 30-28 defeat of Mississippi.
“I’ve had some pretty good kickers over the years, and he’s definitely one that makes an impact on the game,” said Wake Forest assistant Billy Mitchell, who oversees the team’s kickers. “When we pass across the 50, we feel like if we take care of the ball we’re going to come up with a score.”
Mitchell said a bungled hold led to one of Popham’s misses last week, and he believes the redshirt freshman won’t feel the same jitters if he’s asked to kick against the Terps.
Still, there’s little question who can create more anxiety in the closing minutes of a game.
“A guy who can make a 50-yard field goal and a guy who can’t even make a 40-yard field goal, I think you go in there with a little more of hoping he’s not going to make this,” Fokou said. “You just try your best and hope he doesn’t make it. With Swank, you’re almost like you have to block it or it’s in. The other guy, it’s like, ’Let’s just see what happens.’ ”
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