Wake Forest 45, Duke 34

DURHAM - Wake Forest managed its tenth consecutive win over Duke on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. 

The Demon Deacons (5-7,3-5 ACC), behind a school record five touchdown passes from senior Riley Skinner in the last game of his career, pulled out a 45-34 victory, once again finding the offensive punch to outscore the Blue Devils (5-7, 3-5) and hand them their fourth consecutive loss.

Skinner completed 28 of 38 pass attempts for 372 yards, leading the Deacs in the second half when they were able to pull away from the Devils, despite a valiant effort from Duke senior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and his trio of receivers. Lewis completed 28 of 48 pass attempts for 387, three touchdowns and an interceptions.  

The Demon Deacons seized control of this game in the third quarter with two touchdown scoring drives that took advantage of a immobile Duke defense that could not produce a pass rush or cover in the secondary. That opened the field to Skinner and his rotating group of running backs.

These teams, with a recent history of high-scoring games, started off right where they left off last season in the opening minutes of the first quarter on Saturday, scoring  a combined 28 points in roughly six minutes.

The four touchdown passes were fitting considering the experience both teams have at quarterback, with Skinner and Lewis playing in their final game. Both own numerous team passing records.

Lewis, with 193 first-half passing yards, moved into second on the ACC'S all-time career passing list behind former N.C. State standout Philip Rivers (13,484). He surpassed former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke (9,839). Skinner moved into fifth on the list in Saturday's game, surpassing Duke's Ben Bennett.  

Falling short of its goals, Duke could not finish with a .500 or better record or earn eligibility for a bowl game this season. Both were goals coach David Cutcliffe said his team was good enough to reach in his second season with the program. 

FOURTH QUARTER

Unable to move the chains in the third quarter, Duke cobbled together a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter.

His team trying to collect its offensive groove, Lewis fired a pass downfield to Conner Vernon, who drew a Wake Forest pass interference call but caught the 37-yard pass on the 12-yard line. Duke declined the penalty and two plays later proceeded to score on a 1-yard dive by Lewis with 9:45 remaining. 

The Devils pulled to within 35-27, but could not hold the Deacs off the score board on the ensuing drive.

Though denied the end zone, the Deacs scored on a 44-yard field by placekicker Jimmy Newman. 

And the Deacs would not give the Devils a break.

On Duke's next drive, Wake safety Alex Frye intercepted a pass by Lewis, returning it 37 yards with 3:26 remaining.

Lewis would redeem himself on a touchdown pass to Donovan Varner, helping the Devils pull to within 45-33.  

THIRD QUARTER

The Deacs improved their 21-17 half-time lead with a six-play, 64-yard touchdown drive early in the third quarter.

A shrewd play by Skinner kept that drive going. 

Skinner, who is known for a great pocket presence, bought time with his feet and lofted a pass over the outstretched arms of Duke defensive lineman Ayanga Okpokowuruk. Fullback Mike Rinfrette pulled the pass in and rumbled 37 yards to move the Deacs in scoring position.

On the next play, Skinner dump a pass to Devon Brown who juked and cut inside for the 13-yard touchdown. The Deacs went ahead 28-17.

Later, Skinner hit a streaking Marshall Williams on a 49-yard touchdown pass play. Covering on the play, Duke's Leon Wright forced Williams to fumble on the 2-yardline, though Williams recovered the ball for a touchdown. Skinner was credited with the touchdown pass because the same receiver who dropped the ball recovered it.

The Deacs, who consistently exploited Duke's secondary, took a 35-20 lead on that touchdown drive with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter. 

SECOND QUARTER

To open the second quarter, the Deacs marched 55-yards in eight plays, mixing the run and pass as Duke's defense reeled in confusion. Skinner, one of the most accurate passers in the history of the ACC, tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Devon Brown and continued to pick apart the Devils' secondary. 

The Deacs took a 21-14 lead with 10:50 remaining.

Unable to respond with a touchdown drive, the Devils still found the scoreboard. Walk-on kicker Will Snyderwine booted a 51-yard field goal attempt to put the Devils down 21-17.

It was his 16th field goal of the season, tying a school record. The 51-yard field, a career-long, tied the 11th longest in Duke history.

FIRST QUARTER 

Duke scored on the game's opening drive. 

Senior Thaddeus Lewis, with plenty of time in the pocket, hit a wide-open Donovan Varner on a 56-yard pass play.  That pass completed a three-play, 58-yard drive.

On Wake Forest's next drive, senior Riley Skinner needed just four plays to put the Deamon Deacons on the board. A 28-yard touchdown pass to Devon Brown helped to tie the game 7-7 at 12:21.

It didn't take long for Duke to respond.

On second-and-10, Lewis zipped a pass to junior Austin Kelly coming on a slant route that turned into a 62-yard touchdown for the Devils.

With a 14-7 lead, it seemed the Devils were finally going to hold the Deac on the next drive, forcing a punt on fourth down. But a roughing the kicker penalty on Duke gave the Deacs new life.

Of course, they scored.

Skinner connected with Chris Givens on a 54-yard touchdown play, capping a six-play, 74-yard drive that took three minutes, 42 seconds. 

Duke was finally forced to punt with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter.  The Devils returned the favor on Wake's next possession with 40 seconds remaining.

Skinner completed 7 of 10 for 144 yards and two TDs, while Lewis finished 7-for-12 for 153 yards and two TDs.