Gameday Blog - Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt
11/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 29, 2008
10:21 p.m. - Final Score - Wake Forest 23, Vanderbilt 10.
This win gives the Wake seniors a 30-20 record over the last four years, which is the most wins by any one class.
The win was also the third of the day for an ACC team over an SEC team.
10:18 p.m.
On 4th and 12, Smith was under some strong pressure and was forced to throw low, turning the ball back over the Wake on the Vanderbilt 23 yard line. Skinner will take a pair of knees to run out the clock and send the 16 Wake Forest seniors off with a victory.
10:16 p.m.
After an incompletion, defensive lineman Kyle Wilbur raced around the edge and sacked Smith back at the 27 yard line. VU was forced to burn its final timeout with 1:52 to play. I have to admit the situation looks good the Deacs.
10:14 p.m.
On 4th and 4, Smith hit Justin Wheeler, who lunged forward to just pickup the first down out at the 14 yard line. VU picked up another first down and face a 2nd and 7 from the 28 with 2:02 to play.
10:12 p.m.
A block in the back penalty ruined what was a good return by Vandy and forced its drive to start on its own 3-yard line. The Dores' have now just 3:12 to work with.
10:09 p.m. - Wake Forest 23, Vanderbilt 10
A holding penalty had put the Dores' behind the chains to start with but a false start penalty just added to their troubles. On 3rd and 19, Smith dropped back and looked right but Alphonso Smith stepped in front of the Commodore receiver to make his 20th career interception. That ties him with North Carolina's Dry Bly for the most in ACC history.
Wake took over on the Vandy eight yard line and needed just two plays to reach the endzone as Belton bowled in from three-yards out.
If you can find a dark spot in the drive, Sam Swank came on and missed his first career PAT as he had made 121 straight.
10:03 p.m.
The Wake defense has played tough all game but this was one time where they beat. Smith stepped up and three deep down the middle to Sean Walker, who had a step on a pair of Wake defenders, but the ball bounced off of his hands and fell incomplete. Had he reeled that in, it sure looked like he could have gone the distance for the game tying score.
Vandy took timeout facing 3rd and 15 from its own nine with 4:21 to go.
10:00 p.m.
On 3rd and 2, Sean Walker took the hand off and fought forward for a 1st down. Vandy has only climbed out to its own 14 with just over five minutes to play.
9:57 p.m.
Wake kept the ball on the ground in attempts to chew up more clock. However, the Deacs could gain just nine yards and Popham came on for his fifth punt of the game. Yet again, he hit another good one, as the ball was down at the Vandy three-yard line. The Dores' now have to go 97 yards with 7:20 to play.
The Deacons are used to these close games, as they have had seven games this season decided by seven or less points. If this one stays the same, it would make of the 12 games decided by seven or less points. No wonder this has been such a long season.
9:51 p.m.
Leading by just one possession, the Wake defense came and out stopped the Dores' on just three plays. VU was able to gain on five yards as Upson came on to punt. WFU's Gelo Orange (greatest name ever) broke through the middle and tipped the punt, forcing a wobbly punt that died at the Wake Forest 46 yard line. Wake takes over 1st and 10 with 9:35 left in the game.
9:47 p.m.
The rain has now slowed to more of a drizzle, but for the fans still in the stands, does it really matter? Just a thought.
9:45 p.m.
The Deacon drive stalled out at midfield and the Popham punt covered 38 yards and went down to the Vandy 12 yard line. The Dores' have 11:04 left to try and tie the game.
Tonight's official attendance was listed at 25,902 which brings the season-total to 221,582, which is a new season-single record at BB&T Field.
9:43 p.m.
This drive has started out well for the Deacs as they have picked up a pair of 1st downs, interestingly enough, on passes by Skinner. Despite the wet conditions, Skinner hit Boldin and Harris for 1st down grabs and the Deacs have moved into Vandy territory at the 48. More importantly, Wake has already chewed up three and a half minutes off the clock.
9:40 p.m.
C.J. Washington falls on the wet ball at the Wake 14 where the Deacs will take over 1st and 10.
Did I mention the driving rain hitting the press box. We may be in a need of a squeegee soon.
9:37 p.m. - Wake Forest 17, Vanderbilt 10
On 4th and 4, Smith found Barden on a post route for the 5-yard touchdown pass. The scoring drive last 14 plays and covered 69 yards in 6:59.
9:35 p.m.
By the way, the rain is now pelting the windows of the press box.
9:33 p.m. - End of the 3rd Quarter
The Commodores kept the ball on the ground, handing it to Kennard Reeves, who took them down to the Wake 4-yard line. He then lost a couple of yards and now Vandy faces a 4th and 4 from the five yard line when the 4th quarter begins.
9:29 p.m.
Vandy just picked up its third first down of this drive on a pass from Smith to Barden down to the Wake 33 yard line.
9:26 p.m.
Sam Swank's last PAT was his 121st straight, which is a school record. His 121 PAT attempts are also a school record. Pretty impressive for missing six games this season.
9:24 p.m.
I am fairly confident that the blood of the remaining fans has to be black and gold because only the diehards are sticking this one out. The rain is blowing all around the and temperatures have dropped into the mid 30s.
Vanderbilt is looking to get something going, picking up their first 1st down of the half and have it at its own 46 yard line with 5:30 to play in the 3rd quarter.
9:22 p.m. - Wake Forest 17, Vanderbilt 3
With the rain picking up, the Deacs elected to keep the ball on the ground and Kevin Harris scampered in from eight yards out for the score. It was his first rushing touchdown since 2006.
The scoring drive lasted five plays and covered 52 yards in 1:39.
Another note, Wake has now gained 280 yards of total offense, while holding VU to just 141 total yards.
9:17 p.m.
On the first play of the drive, Skinner hit Boldin for 25 yards down the left sideline for Boldin's sixth catch of the game, moving him to second all-time in school history.
Two plays later, tailback Kevin Harris ran up the middle for 12 yards and laid a hit on safety Ryan Hamilton, who had to be helped off the field. Wake currently has the ball on the VU 15 yard line, 1st and 10.
Another interesting note, if the final score stays 10-3, it will mark the first time since 1931 that Wake has won three games when scoring 12 points or less.
9:11 p.m.
Smith was still in a quarterback for the Commodores but he wasn't able to get anything going as Vandy punted the ball back after just three plays. Boldin received the 38-yard punt and took it up to the Wake 48-yard line where the Deacs will take over 1st and 10. This is the second straight drive Wake has started with good field position.
9:08 p.m.
Wake couldn't take advantage of the fortunate field position and was forced to punt. VU fair-caught the punt on its own 13 yard line.
On the last Wake Forest drive, DJ Boldin caught a pass for 3-yards which marked his 100th catch of his career.
9:04 p.m.
....and disaster strikes on the first play. Josh Adams took the ball over the right side but was striped but Myron Lewis. VU's Chris Marve fell on the ball at the Wake 40 where the Commodores took over.
However, third-string QB Larry Smith started the half for the Dores' and handed off to Jennings, who also fumbled the ball. John Russell caused the fumble and Wake's Chip Vaughn recovered the ball at the Wake 45.
When the dust settled, Wake takes over 1st and 10 on its own 45. The take away was the the Deac's 34th of the season, which leads the nation.
8:59 p.m.
Devon Brown returned the kick to the Wake 31 where the Deacs will start the second half.
8:57 p.m.
Here we go with the start of the second half. Wake will receive the second half the kickoff and defend the south goal.
8:46 p.m. - Halftime Stats
- Skinner is 8-of-12 for 117 yards and the duo of Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson have combined to go 5-of-18 for 87 yards.
- Pendergrass has gained 46 yards on seven carries with a touchdown and Boldin has carried it three times for 18 yards. Jamie Graham leads the VU rushing attack with five carries for 31 yards. Nickson has run the ball seven times for 23 yards.
- Boldin has caught for passes for 34 yards while Adams has also hauled in two passes for 34 yards. DJ Moore made one catch for 54 yards and Graham has reeled in a pair of passes for 20 yards.
- Total yards are 214-138 in favor of Wake and the Deacs have had the ball for three and a half minutes more the Vandy.
- Wake is also 4-for-8 on 3rd down while Vandy is just 1-of-8.
8:39 p.m. - Halftime
The Wake defense held again and forced another Upton punt. This time he got it off and he boomed it, sending the punt 60 yards down to the Wake 1-yard line. Wake ran the ball up the middle to run out the clock and head into the locker room with a seven-point lead.
8:33 p.m.
Wake decided to give Swank and chance from 52 yards but the kick came up a bit short. Vanderbilt takes over at its own 36 with 41 second left in the half.
8:32 p.m.
After three-straight incomplete passes, the Deacs take timeout to talk about their decision. They face 4th and 10 from the Vandy 36. It would be a 52-yard field goal attempt.
8:30 p.m.
This time the got it. Alphonso Smith had to go to the sideline and catch his breath after the the 3rd and 3 play allowing Brandon Ghee to step in. Ghee broke through and blocked the Upson punt as well as recovering the ball on the Vandy 36.
8:24 p.m.
Another very good possession for the Wake defense. On 3rd and 7, the Wake defense had a meeting at the quarterback as Adams had not chance of getting anything together. Matt and Boo Robinson were credited for the sack. Vandy had to punt out of its own endzone and the Deacs brought the heat. However, Alphonso Smith narrowly missed the block but ran through the kicker, giving the Dores' an automatic first down at the 26 with just over to minutes to play.
8:18 p.m.
After a 1st down pass to Boldin, the Deacs' drive stalled out at the 41. Popham came on and hit his second straight good punt, driving it down near the goal line, where Aaron Curry tried to down it on the one, but his momentum carried him into the endzone. Vandy will take over 1st and 10 with 4:10 to go in the half.
8:12 p.m.
Nickson scrambled for a just four yards on 3rd and 6, forcing a 4th down. The play was reviewed as Nickson lost the ball on the way down. Wake's Alphonso Smith recovered the ball but the replay apparently showed he was down.
Brett Upson came on for the Vandy punt but hit a boomer that flew into the endzone.
Wake will take over 1st and 10 from its own 20 with 7:19 to go in the half. Nickson has returned to the game for Vandy and on just three plays, the Dores' have moved into Wake territory. They currently have it 3rd and 6 from the WF 40-yard line.
8:03 p.m. - Wake Forest 10, Vanderbilt 3
The Deacs finish it off! Pendergrass caught a pass from Skinner for a 22-yard gain down to the six and on the next play, Pendergrass ran it for the score, giving the Deacs a seven-point lead. Swank came on the for extra point, his 120th-straight, which is a school record.
The 98-yard drive was the longest of the season and took 12 plays over 5:08.
7:58 p.m.
This is the second straight good looking drive for the Deacon offense. Skinner hit Marshall Williams along the right sideline for a 27-yard gain and Rich Belton ran up the middle for nine yards and another 1st down. After an end-around to Boldin, Pendergrass picked up seven yards for a third 1st down on the drive. Wake has is 1st and 10 from the Vanderbilt 28-yard line.
7:54 p.m.
On 3rd and 4, Skinner rolled right and found Boldin for the 1st down pick up. It was a good pass by Skinner, throwing back across his body and the throw was right on target.
7:50 p.m. - End of 1st Quarter
On the ensuing Vanderbilt drive, Adams hit DJ Moore down the left sideline for a 54-yard gain down to the Wake 24 yard line. After a false start penalty, Adams looked over the middle but his pass was picked off on a nice play by senior safety Chip Vaughn. It was Vaughn's second interception of the season and the third of his career.
Wake is facing a 3rd and 3 from its eight yard line when the 2nd quarter begins.
7:46 p.m. - Wake Forest 3, Vanderbilt 3
I spoke too soon. Facing a 3rd and 5 from the 15, Skinner's pass into the endzone, intended for Chip Brinkman fell incomplete and Brinkman was flagged for pass interference, taking the Deacs back to the 30-yard line. After a pickup of just four on 3rd and 15, Sam Swank came on a made his first field goal since the Navy game on Sept. 27. This one was from 42 yards, tying the score.
Swank moves into second alone in the ACC with 71 career field goals.
7:40 p.m.
The offensive line gave Skinner all day to find an open Josh Adams on a crossing route that picked up 30 yard down to the Vandy 19. Let's see if the Deacs can finish off the drive.
7:38 p.m.
Boldin took the handoff on orbit sweep on the first play of the drive and picked up a first down. He then caught a screen pass on 3rd and 5 to pick up a second 1st down. Wake has it out to midfield with 5:11 to play in the opening stanza.
7:33 p.m.
After the kickoff, Wake will start its second drive from its own 20-yard line.
7:29 p.m. - Vanderbilt 3, Wake Forest 0
Vanderbilt got out to midfield but a false start penalty forced a 2nd and 15 which Vandy wasn't able to convert. However, Wake Forest's DJ Boldin fumbled the ensuing VU punt on the Wake 20-yard line and a Vanderbilt player fell on the loose ball. Vandy then gained just four yards on a run and two incomplete passes and Bryant Hahnfeldt then came on to boot a 33-yard field, giving the Dores' a 3-0 lead.
7:22 p.m.
On the first play of the drive for Vandy, starting QB Chris Nickson and RB Jeff Jennings fumbled the exchange and tight end Brandon Barden fell on the ball. However, Nickson was injured on the play and was forced to leave the game. Backup QB Mackenzi Adams came in and picked up a nice 1st down on a screen pass to Jamie Graham. The pass gained 13 yards and picked up the Dores' first 1st down of the game. VU currently has the ball 1st and 10 at its own 48 yard line.
7:15 p.m.
Despite a nice 21-yard run by Brandon Pendergrass on the first play of the drive, the Deacs couldn't pick up any more yards and were forced to punt. Popham's punt was a nice one and was fair-caught at the Vandy 12-yard line.
7:10 p.m.
Here are Wake Forest's starters for tonight. The only change from the last few weeks is Doug Weaver is starting in place of the injured Barrett McMillin on the offensive line.
Offense
QB - Riley Skinner
TB - Brandon Pendergrass
FB - Mike Rinfrette
WR - Chip Brinkman
WR - D.J. Boldin
TE - Ben Wooster
LT - Joe Birdsong
LG - Joe Looney
C - Russell Nenon
RG - Jeff Griffin
RT - Doug Weaver
Defense
DE - Matt Robinson
NG - Boo Robinson
DT - John Russell
DE - Kyle Wilber
SLB - Aaron Curry
MLB - Stanley Arnoux
WLB - Chantz McClinic
CB - Alphonso Smith
CB - Josh Bush
FS - Chip Vaughn
SS - Kevin Patterson
7:09 p.m.
Here we go. Wandy took the opening kickoff out to its own 43 but the Deacon defense held for a 3-and-out and forced the first of probably many punts this evening. The punt went to the Wake 24 yard line where the Deacs will start 1st and 10.
Coin Toss - 7:02 p.m.
Today's captains for Wake are seniors Aaron Curry and DJ Boldin. Wake Forest won the toss and will defer to the second half. Vanderbilt will receive and defend the south goal.
Gate Keeper - 6:58 p.m.
Tonight's Open the Gate guest was four-time All-American Jay Haas. Haas was a member of the 1974 and 1975 NCAA Men's Golf Championship teams and won the individual title in '75. He was named the Fred Haskins Award winner as the nation's top collegiate golfer in 1975.
Haas won nine times on the PGA Tour and has 11 career win on the Champions Tour, where he won the Charles Schwab Cup this season. He was also a member of three Ryder Cup teams received the Bob Jones Award in 2005, which is the USGA's highest honor for distinguished sportsmanship.
Haas' son Bill is currently a member of the PGA Tour and his brother Jerry is the men's golf head coach at Wake Forest.
Getting Close - 6:55 p.m.
The Wake Forest faithful have arrived but not many more. The rain has certainly kept a few people away. Even though the team's colors are very similar, the dominant color in the stands right now is bright yellow, the color of the many rain ponchos.
Rain, Rain Go Away - 6:27 p.m.
With just over 40 minutes until kickoff, the rain has began to fall here at BB&T Field. With the temperatures in the low 40s, this could be a very interesting game this evening.
The weather may also influence whether or not Wake sets an attendance record tonight. There have been 195,680 fans file through the gates at BB&T already this season. The record for a single season is 197,911 so Wake will likely draw the 2,232 fans tonight to set a new record. However, the per game average record is 32,595, which was set last season. Wake needs to draw 32,492 fans tonight and that number may be in jeopardy with the rain.
Strength of Schedule - 5:26 p.m.
In case you haven't already heard, Wake Forest's schedule was ranked third-hardest in the country this past week by Sagarin's college football rankings. Only Duke and Virginia had a tougher schedule. With Clemson and NC State's wins this afternoon, that gives the ACC ten bowl eligible teams, which is more than any other conference.
Uniform Combo - 5:18 p.m.
Wake will be wearing their black jerseys with gold pants today. The Deacs are 1-1 this season with that combo (a win over Ole Miss and a loss to Navy). Since the start of the 2006 season, Wake is 6-3 in the black and gold combo.
Under the Lights - 4:58 p.m.
The lights are on and the teams are here. Both of the buses have arrived from the respective hotels and some players are making their way out onto the field. Let's hope the Deacs can find the same result as their only other "night game" this season; a 12-7 victory over Clemson back on Oct. 9.
Welcome - 4:17 p.m.
Welcome to the Vanderbilt gameday blog. I will again be bringing you all of the action from BB&T Field this evening as Wake Forest hosts Vanderbilt in the regular season-finale for both teams. Even though this is a non-conference game, there is still a lot on the line. Each team comes into the game with 6-5 overall records and a seventh-win will look so good on a bowl resume. For Wake, there are currently 10 ACC teams that are bowl eligible, meaning six wins doesn't guarantee the Deacs a bowl game. Stay tuned tonight to see how everything unfolds.
Blog by media relations assistant Gary Petit.
