Wake Forest 34, Liberty 14
9/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 30, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2
Today's Captains:
Today's captains were seniors Damon McWhite and Riley Swanson. Wake Forest won the toss and elected to defer. The Deacons kicked off and defended the south goal.
The Wake Forest Win Today...
... makes Wake Forest 5-0 for the first time since the 1987 season.
... gives Wake Forest its first five-game winning streak since the 1992 season.
... improves Wake Forest to 3-0 at home this season and 17-15 under Jim Grobe.
... improves Wake Forest to 4-0 against non-conference teams this season and 17-5 under Grobe.
... improves Wake Forest to 5-0 in September and 15-10 under Grobe.
... improves Wake Forest to 3-0 on ESPN360 this season.
... improves Wake Forest to 3-0 in afternoon games this season and 20-23 under Grobe.
... gives Wake Forest a 1-0 lead in the Liberty series.
... improves Grobe's Wake Forest record against I-AA teams to 3-0 (App. State, NC A&T).
... improves Grobe's record at Wake Forest to 31-32 in six seasons and his all-time record to 64-65-1 in 12 seasons.
... improves Wake Forest's all-time record to 383-574-33.
Updating The Grobe Era Record Book
... Wake Forest had 242 passing yards, the third-most total in the Grobe Era ...the 20-point margin of victory was the eighth-largest in the Grobe Era ...the 27 first-half points tied for the eighth-most in the Grobe Era ...Wake Forest's 438 yards of total offense were the eighth-most in the Grobe Era ...Wake was 4-of-10 on third down conversions tying for the fifth-fewest conversions in the Grobe Era ...the Deacs' 61 punt return yards were the third-most in the Grobe Era ...Riley Skinner's 218 yards passing were the sixth-most in the Grobe Era ...Nate Morton's 127 receiving yards were the sixth-most in the Grobe Era
Starting Notes...
WR Nate Morton started for the first time this season, but it was his 21st career start... He was paired at wide receiver with Kenneth Moore... OT Steve Vallos started his 39th career game.
Swank Nails 52-Yard Field Goal...
Sam Swank hit a 52-yard field goal on Wake Forest's first drive, tying for the third-longest in Wake Forest history. It also equaled Swank's career-long a 52-yarder against Miami last November. Just a sophomore, Swank becomes the first kicker in Deacon history to make three field goals of 50 yards or longer.
Swanson Gets Pick...
Senior CB Riley Swanson intercepted a Liberty pass on the first drive for his second interception of the season and fifth of his career.
Harris' 27-Yard Touchdown Run...
Sophomore RB Kevin Harris' 27-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and the 24-yarder later in the quarter was his 2nd and 3rd run of at least 20 yards this season. He broke off a 41-yarder two weeks ago at Connecticut.
Woods Hauls In Career-Long Reception...
Junior RB Travo Woods made a 21-yard grab in the first quarter -- a career-long.
Getting Yards In Chunks...
The Deacons had five first quarter plays of at least 20 yards -- a punt return by senior WR Willie Idlette, two runs by freshman RB Kevin Harris and receptions by junior RB Travo Woods and senior WR Nate Morton.
Scoring Streaks Come To End...
Liberty's touchdown with 8:43 to go in the second quarter marked the first points allowed by Wake Forest in 51 minutes and 20 seconds -- since the second quarter at Ole Miss. It was the first touchdown allowed by the Deacons in 114 minutes and 40 seconds -- since the second quarter of the Connecticut game.
Skinner's Touchdown Strike To Morton...
Freshman QB Riley Skinner's 59-yard touchdown pass to senior WR Nate Morton was Skinner's second touchdown pass of the year. It was Morton's first of the season and fourth of his career. The pass was Skinner's career-long and tied for the 35th-longest pass in Wake Forest history.
27 First Half Points...
Wake Forest's 27 first half points were the most by a Deacon team since last year's East Carolina game (31).
Morton Goes Over 100 Yards Receiving...
Senior WR Nate Morton's 100-yard receiving day was the third of his career and the 10th by a Deacon receiver in the Jim Grobe era. Morton was the first Deacon receiver to go over 100 yards since Chris Davis in last year's season finale against Miami. Morton's six receptions ties a career-high, performed twice before against North Carolina in 2003 and Georgia Tech in 2005. Morton also finished with a game-high 127 receiving yards (his career-high is 142 at East Carolina in 2004).
Harris Sets New Career-Highs...
Freshman RB Kevin Harris rushed eight times for 77 yards and two touchdowns -- career-highs for yards and touchdowns. His high for carries is 12 set last week at Ole Miss.
Swank Climbs Wake Forest Career Scoring Chart...
With 10 points today, sophomore PK Sam Swank moved into a tie for 16th place on the Wake Forest scoring chart with 120 career points. He is currently tied with John Leach (1990-93) and Desmond Clark (1995-98) on the all-time scoring charts in Wake Forest history.
Swank Drops Punt At Two Yardline...
Sam Swank dropped a punt at the two-yard line in the fourth quarter of today's game against Liberty. Swank punted three times averaging 46.3 yards per punt. He had a long of 51 yards. Swank's net average on the afternoon was 44.0 yards.
Second Half Dominance
The Deacons have outscored their opponents 31-7 in the fourth quarter.
Wake Forest has outgained its opponents 435 to 261 in total yards during the fourth quarter. The Deacons have outscored their opponents 58-10 in the second half. Duke kicked a third quarter field goal against Wake Forest on September 9 and Liberty scored a touchdown on a 6-yard pass in the fourth quarter in today's game.
Points Allowed to Start a Season
Wake Forest has given up 53 points through the first five games of the 2006 season. It is the fewest points allowed to open a season since the 1987 season when the Deacons allowed 42.
