Wake Forest has had an interesting quarterback situation this season and that will continue as they face Pitt this Saturday at home.
Les Johns, Wake Forest football beat writer for Demon Deacon Digest, reported Monday that Wake Forest is going ahead with redshirt sophomore quarterback Mitch Griffis as the starter against Pitt.
Griffis began 2023 as the starter for the Demon Deacons, but head coach Dave Clawson chose to bench him during the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies last Saturday due to performance. Redshirt junior Michael Kern came in against the Hokies, completing 14 of 22 passes for 166 yards, before suffering a right shoulder injury on a sack in the fourth quarter.
Griffis came back in for Kern, completing eight of his 17 passes for 61 yards and one interception in the 30-13 loss to Virginia Tech.
Johns reportedly has sources that told him that Griffis is the starter, while redshirt sophomore Santino Marucci is the backup. Also, that injury Kern suffered will keep him out at least against Pitt.
Griffis has completed 100 of 169 pass attempts for 1,211 yards, nine touchdowns, six interceptions and has taken 24 sacks in 2023. Six of those touchdown passes have come against Old Dominion and Elon. In games against Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Virginia Tech, Griffis has three touchdowns and has taken 16 sacks.
Pitt has also dealt with injuries this season, with redshirt senior offensive linemen Ryan Jacoby and Matt Goncalves all out for the season. Fellow redshirt senior offensive linemen Jake Kradel have both dealt with injuries and others such as senior linebacker Bangally Kamara and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Sean FitzSimmons sat out games as well.
Pitt has won both of their matchups against Wake Forest since joining the ACC in 2013. They beat Wake Forest 34-13 on the road in 2018, which clinched their first ACC Coastal Division Title, and then 45-21 the 2021 ACC Championship Game for their first ACC title.
Griffis Last 3 Games:
Sept. 23 vs. Georgia Tech: 17-of-30, 176 yards, one touchdown, two Interceptions, Sacked eight times.
Oct. 7 vs. Clemson: 15-of-25, 137 yards, zero touchdowns, zero Interceptions, Sacked four times.
Oct. 14 vs. Virginia Tech: 8-of-17, 61 yards, zero touchdowns, one Interception, Sacked two times.
