Wake Forest Athletics
Skinner Selected ACC Rookie Of The Week
9/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 11, 2006
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Wake Forest redshirt freshman quarterback Riley Skinner was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Skinner met and surpassed all expectations in his first collegiate start. Playing in place of the injured Benjamin Mauk, Skinner went 22-of-29 passing for 235 yards and a touchdown. Skinner led the Deacons on the game-winning drive in the game's final 3 1/2 minutes, becoming the first freshman quarterback in Wake Forest history to lead the Deacons to a fourth quarter comeback victory.
In the second half, Skinner was 13-for-16 for 182 yards and a touchdown. On the game-winning drive, the Jacksonville, Fla., native took the Deacons 63 yards on seven plays in barely more than two minutes. Skinner was 4-for-5 for 58 yards to four different receivers to set up Andrews' touchdown with 1:28 to play.
While still very early in the season, it is worth noting that Skinner owns a 76.7 completion percentage, tops in the ACC and third nationally. Skinner's passing efficiency -- 157.1 -- is third-best in the ACC and 24th nationally.
"The guy's a winner. The guy's really special," head coach Jim Grobe told the media after the Duke game. "I was pleased that he showed us what we thought he would in the second half. This should give him confidence for the next game."
Skinner is the second Deacon to earn conference honors this season. After the Syracuse game, Steve Vallos was voted ACC offensive lineman of the week.
