Wake's Curry tackles with authority

If there was one player who epitomized the sheer enthusiasm Wake Forest’s defensive players wanted and needed on Saturday against Virginia, it was fifth-year senior strong-side linebacker Aaron Curry.

 

To use a phrase he is fond of, the Fayetteville native pursued the Cavaliers’ offensive players like a “mad dog.” His role was essential in helping the Demon Deacons (6-3, 4-2) to a 28-17 home-field victory.

 

Curry, at 6-foot-3 and 247-pounds, moves like a guy with considerably less girth, though it seems like he uses all of that size to generate power. He punished Virginia quarterback Marc Verica, even though he wasn’t part of either of the sacks the sophomore endured. He harassed Virginia tailback Cedric Peerman, who gained just 43 yards on 12 carries.

 

There was Curry stalking Peerman in the first quarter, forcing a fumble on Virginia’s second series of the game. He tackled the 208-pound tailback, stripped the ball from his arms and recovered the fumble.

 

Curry’s play technically developed on the field but he had gained insight during the week watching film of Peerman. He studies all of the backs he faces, looking for tendencies and bad habits. 

 

“We knew that on contact that he likes to lift the ball up, so I just decided to strip it out,” Curry said.

 

Later, Curry bull-rushed Verica and that hurry led to Wake’s defensive tackle Boo Robinson’s first career interception.

 

That Virginia turnover - one of four in the game - resulted in a Wake touchdown.

 

Asked what it would be like to face Curry every Saturday, Wake quarterback Riley Skinner said, “It would be a nightmare.”

 

In Wake's past two games, Curry has registered 21 tackles. He entered Saturday's game as the conference's third-leading tackler with an overall average of 9.0 per game and conference average of 10.0 per game.

 

In all on Saturday, Curry tallied five tackles, four solo and 2 1/2 for losses. His final stats were not spectacular like his career-high 16 tackles against Duke, yet his efforts certainly riled his teammates.  After forcing the interception, Curry walked up and down the sideline, beating his chest and spurring on the anyone who would listen. He had been selected captain for the game and was doing his part.  

 

“We started off with the energy that we needed,” Curry said.

“Just emotional. ... Every play was a big play. I really think we need to work on finishing the same way.”