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The Wake Forest football team is gearing up for a cross-country trip to Corvallis for a road game against Oregon State. The program is doing everything in its power to keep the Beavers guessing.
A note was sent media members threatening an access ban after secrets were exposed. The Demon Deacons do not want their opponents to have any inside information before gameday.
Wake Forest is in its first season with head coach Jake Dickert, who was hired away from Washington State last offseason. He’s 3-2 in Year 1 after picking up his first ACC victory against Virginia Tech.
He’s been able to achieve that success despite having a few intel leaks from local media members.
Wake Forest is playing football mind games.
The Demon Deacons have a policy in place to protect their secrets as they pertain to the depth chart. Media members are not supposed to film or photograph players sidelined with injury.
They are not to post about players wearing non-contact jerseys or of injuries that occur on the practice field.
Some reporters have been disregarding that policy.
Wake Forest sent out a message to the media reminding onlookers of practice procedures. In that message was a threat to ban members from attendance.
Wake Forest putting the smack down … pic.twitter.com/7UkiS75cyd
— Scott Hamilton (@ScottHamiltonPC) October 8, 2025
The ACC does have a player availability policy in place to ensure injuries are reported prior to kickoff. That applies only to conference games. Oregon State is not a league member. Wake Forest wants to keep its secrets safe.
Starting QB Robby Ashford has been battling injury over the last two weeks. He is listed on the depth chart for the Oregon State contest after playing at less than 100% in the win over Virginia Tech.
Starting running back Demond Claiborne’s status is also unclear. Wake Forest would like to make the Beavers prepare for all options.
The Demon Deacons are not the only team protecting intel.
Oklahoma made waves this week for playing mind games of their own regarding starting quarterback John Mateer. Interestingly enough, Mateer was Dickert’s quarterback last season with Washington State.
The Sooners have yet to announce whether or not the passer will play vs. Texas. Head coach Brent Venables is waiting until the last possible moment to make the announcement.
Mateer had hand surgery that forced him to the sidelines. Rumors of a return for the Red River Rivalry are now swirling.
Both Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle avoided questions about Mateer’s status. They would not comment on his status or ability to effectively throw the football.
The team has also been practicing inside this week, which the staff attributed to high temperatures. Its Tuesday session was closed to the media.
As a result, Texas is having to prepare for two different quarterbacks. Even if Mateer is unable to go, the Sooners are making the Longhorns put in the extra work. That can be viewed as a competitive advantage.
Wake Forest intends to make Oregon State to do the same. They want their secrets to be concealed, not aired out by the local media.