AP photo
WINSTON-SALEM — It wasn't pretty but Wake Forest will take it. And with their 12-7 win over Clemson on Thursday night, the Demon Deacons take control of the Atlantic Division race.
D.J. Boldin's 7-yard touchdown catch capped Wake's winning drive, which Boldin sustained with a 28-yard play on third-and-24.
Wake dominated the first three quarters but found itself trailing 7-3 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Two missed field goals by Wake's backup kicker gave Clemson life. The Tigers even took the lead, 7-3, on Jacoby Ford's 10-yard touchdown catch.
But Shane Popham's second field goal, a 32-yarder cut the lead to 7-6. Then Boldin saved the day.
Wake's 2-0 in the ACC with wins over Clemson and Florida State despite only scoring one touchdown.
"They haven't been the prettiest games in the world," said Wake quarterback Riley Skinner, who rushed for 73 yards. "They've been ugly wins but you'll take them when they're in the win column."
On third-and-24 from their own 8-yard line, Skinner hit Boldin across the middle in front of the first-down marker. Boldin picked up 28 yards and kept the drive alive.
He capped it with a 7-yard catch and run. The two-point conversion was stopped but it didn't matter.
Wake's defense stopped Clemson on the ensuing possession and ran out the clock for their second ACC win. The Deacs are 2-0 and hold wins over the Tigers, the preseason conference favorite, and Florida State.
Wake coach Jim Grobe promised the Deacs would get back to running the ball, and they did running for a season-high 157 yards.
Grobe dusted off the playbook in the bye week to bring back the spread-option but not with quarterback Riley Skinner. Running backs Brandon Pendergrass and Josh Adams are playing quarterback and Skinner has lined up at receiver.
The trickeration has the Deacs moving the ball, to the tune but kept them out of the end zone through three quarters.
Popham's 22-yard field goal atoned for a botched 25-yard attempt, the first of Popham's career, who is starting Swank, who injured his right leg in practice on Monday.
The Deacs popped off runs of 19, 23 and 21 yards on their first possession but the drive stalled at the 1-yard line. A poor exchange on the snap doomed Popham's first attempt. Holder Ryan McManus bobbled the snap and the 25-yarder never had a chance.
Clemson went three-and-out on its first four series. The Tigers had minus-7 yards rushing in the first half and 20 for the game.
It wasn't until the final drive of the third quarter, Ford's TD came with 7 seconds left, that Clemson got its dreary offense in gear.
Comments
i've heard this before
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 07:10 — Anonymous (not verified)I've heard the argument against Wake before, they dont' put up enough points, they won't win big games, they are nothing but smoke and mirrors, etc etc etc. They win. They fight hard and they are not playing well. Good football teams win and pull out games in which they play poorly. This is the middle of the season and Wake is 4-1, and hasnt found its offensive rhythm yet. But, they are winning! Continue to hate on Wake....
Go Deacs...
Clock Rules
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 00:43 — Derek (not verified)You know they talk about the clock rules a lot, and the restarting of the clock when players go out of bounds during the normal part of the game (not at the end) does affect the length of the game, but the 40 second clock affecting end of game situations is getting too much attention.
To be honest, in the old rules, some times the time between plays at the end was even more. Most of the time it took the officials about 15 seconds to get the ball spotted and ready for play. Then they would run the full 25 seconds off, which adds up to the current 40. Go back and watch old films, it took forever for the referee to signal the ball ready for play. The umpire or line judge had to get the ball, wait for some player traffic to clear, spot the ball, then the umpire would back pedal about 10 steps behind the offensive huddle, and then signal....took forever when my team was behind. To me this new system is the most fair, and generally works out about the same, within a few seconds, of the old system. I think these broadcasters just need something to talk about.
what a pathetice and futile
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 22:29 — gvillegatrwhat a pathetice and futile football game. reminds you of the UM and FSU games of the early and mid 2000's. games like this is why people turn their head at this confernce ... maybe it is justifed???
then turn your head to the Coastal Division. VT, UNC and GT. teams that are ACTUALLY playing good football on both sides of the football ... minus VT on offense.
wake forest and clemson game
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 08:25 — fred (not verified)i love the game.it was two great defensive teams going at it. my father once said,if your opposing team canot score they canot win.
you're an idiot...Wake would
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 22:56 — Anonymous (not verified)you're an idiot...Wake would beat all those teams
says the anonymous Wake
Fri, 10/10/2008 - 07:44 — gvillegatrsays the anonymous Wake fan.
people call AAron Kelly an
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 21:48 — gvillegatrpeople call AAron Kelly an All ACC guy or maybe an alternate on all NCAA ... I say BS. He always drops passes.
NFL
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 21:46 — gvillegatrthe Niffel rules sort a forced Bowden to go for it on 4th down and 17 insode their own 20 with 417 to play!! impressive only b/c they made it.
side note: Clmepson pissed away 3 TO's earlier in the half b/c of the play clock too!
Clem P son
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 20:01 — gvillegatrthis team ought to be embarssed. thye have totally quit on their coaches, school and fans. If Wake wasnt so anemic on offense, they'd be blowing them out. this years Wake team is doing it with smoke and mirrors. the BCS team will come out of the Coastal.