Swank's kick just enough for Deacs

AP photo

WINSTON-SALEM — Mississippi scored with 1:01 left in the game, forcing Wake Forest's Sam Swank to nail a 41-yard field goal for a 30-28 victory.

Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead hooked up with Cordera Eason for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game at 27. The extra point gave the Rebels a one-point lead to set up the Deacons' final scramble.

Wake quarterback Riley Skinner calmly marched his squad downfield and got Ole Miss to commit a crucial error — a defensive pass interference on Josh Adams to bring the Deacons within Swank's reach.

No problem.

Swank's field goal ended a busy day for both teams, who traded blows all afternoon. 

Wake came out of the half down, but a 24-yard touchdown pass from Skinner to wide receiver Marshall Williams capped a seven-play, 41-yard, 3 minute, 5 second drive late in the third. An extra point by Swank gave the Deacs a 20-14 lead.

Defense and special teams play helped the Demon Deacons pull closer in this game. An interception of Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead by Wake's Brandon Ghee set up an earlier scoring drive.

Wake placekicker Sam Swank nailed a 27-yard field goal after the Deacs pushed deep into Ole Miss territory. The Deacs trailed 14-13 with six minutes to play.

The Deacs forced Ole Miss to punt twice more following Williams' touch - the first of his career.

Ole Miss took the lead at 11:40 in the second quarter on a 3 minute, 34 second, 83-yard, nine-play drive. Rebels' quarterback Jevan Snead found Shay Hodge in the end zone on a 28-yard touchdown pass. With kicker Joshua Shene's extra point conversion they took a 14-7 lead.

Wake cut into that lead with a 21-yard field goal by Sam Swank, capping a 16-play, 64-yard, 7:52 drive. 

Wake Forest amassed 137 total yards on 35 plays, while Ole Miss gained 199 on 27 plays.

An early first quarter fumble set up Wake Forest's first scoring drive. After forcing the Demon Deacons to punt, the Rebels' Nathan Stanley ran into returner Marshay Green, who fumbled.

Wake's Chip Vaughn recovered the fumble. That set up a short field for the Deamon Deacons at the Ole Miss 14.

Two plays later, Wake junior quarterback Riley Skinner found Kevin Harris in the back left of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Wake took a 7-0 lead.

It was Skinner's 25th career touchdown pass, while it was Harris' first score since the first game of last season.

Later, with 4:12 left in the quarter, the Rebels would march 94 yards in nine plays to tie the game. Quarterback Jevan Snead hit tight end Gerald Harris in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass.