Gameday Blog From BB&T Field
11/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 8, 2008
6:42 pm
It's a final from BB&T Field. Wake Forest holds off a late Virginia rally to win 28-17. The Deacs move into first place in the ACC with a 4-2 record and a 6-3 overall record. Virginia drops to 3-3 and 5-5 overall. The win over the Cavaliers is the first for the Deacs in Winston-Salem since 1983. Thanks for joining us. We'll be back for another edition of the gameday blog next week in Raleigh as Wake Forest visits NC State.
6:35 pm
The Wake Forest defense probably just sealed the game for the Deacons. Stanley Arnoux records the interception and returns the ball 22 yards to the Virginia 14-yard line.
6:32 pm
Riley Skinner is sacked on 3rd-and-2 and Wake Forest will be forced to punt. Virginia just called its second timeout of the half with 2:51 left in the game.
6:28 pm
Wake Forest picks up a much needed first down as Riley Skinner finds D.J. Boldin on a 10-yard pass play over the middle. We've ticked under four minutes to go in the game and the Deacs have the ball at the UVA 48-yard line.
6:25 pm
The Wake Forest defense steps up and makes a play. On 3rd-and-10 at the 35-yard line, Kyle Wilber sacks the UVA quarterback, forcing a Cavalier punt. The Deacons will take over at their own 39-yard line with 5:14 remaining in the game.
6:19 pm
Wake Forest goes 3-and-out again. On a 3rd-and-1 play, Brandon Pendergrass was stopped short of the first down, forcing another punt. Popham's kick traveled 50 yards and Virginia will start its next possession at its own 17-yard line.
6:17 pm
Big drive here for the Wake Forest offense. The Deacs need to pick up a couple of first downs and chew some clock to keep the UVA offense off the field.
6:14 pm
Touchdown Virginia and just like that this is a two possession ballgame. Marc Verica hits Kevin Ogletree on a 5-yard touchdown pass to cut the Wake Forest lead to 28-16 with 8:57 left in the game. The Cavaliers appeared to have converted a two-point conversion, but the play was called back for holding. After the holding penalty, UVA opts to kick the extra point to make the score 28-17.
6:08 pm
The Cavaliers are moving the ball again as they currently have the ball at the Wake Forest 33-yard line. A 15-yard facemask penalty moved Virginia into Wake Forest territory.
6:03 pm
The UVA defense came out fired up and forced a three and out. Popham hit yet another good 47-yard punt and it now Virginia ball at its own 35 with 12:22 to play.
6:00 pm
Alex Frye took the kickoff back 10 yards to the WFU 17 yardline. 1st and 10 with 13:49 left in the game.
5:57 pm - Wake Forest 28, Virginia 10
Mark Verica found John Phillips for an 18-yard gain and one play later he hooked up with Maurice Covington for 30 more to take the ball down to the Wake Forest 21.
On the very next play, Verica found Phillips again down the middle of the field for a 21-yard touchdown. Virginia's drive went 69 yards in just four plays and took just 0:56 seconds off the clock.
5:52 pm
Wake Forest punted on 4th and 19 and the fair catch was made at the Virginia 31. It was a 43 yard punt and the Cavaliers take over 1st and 10 at the 31.
5:50 pm - End of the 3rd Quarter
The Deacs picked a pair of first downs and appeared to have picked up a third on a run by Boldin but a holding penalty negated the play. A sack on 3rd and 10 sets Wake up with a 4th and 19 from its own 26 as the quarter ended.
5:43 pm
Three straight passing first downs have took Virginia down to the Wake 1-yard line. the big play was a 43-yard connection between Verica and Ogletree.
After a pair of runs from Peerman, Verica kept the ball on a quarterback keeper and was taken down for a 4-yard loss by Aaron Curry setting up a 4th and goal from the Wake 6-yard line.
Verica's 4th down pass was complete to Peerman but Alphonso Smith and Aaron Curry stopped him for a three-yard loss, turning the ball over on downs.
5:37 pm
The trade is complete. The Virginia defense held Wake to a three and out and this Popham punt went for 46 yards down the Virginia 21. 1st and 10 for the Cavaliers with 7:06 to go in the third.
First and ten for the Deacs from its own nine.
5:35 pm
The Wake defense held Virginia to another three and out and the Deacs take over 1st and 10 on their own 30.
Today's official attendance is 34,014 which is the most this season and the 11st most for a game at BB&T Field.
5:26 pm
After Wake picked up a first down, the drive stalled at the 45 and Shane Popham came on to punt. He had a 48-yard boot that was touched down at the Virginia 10-yard line. 1st and 10 for the Hoos with 11:17 to go in the 3rd quarter.
5:21 pm
Wake starts the second half with the ball and have it 1st and 10 at its own 22.
5:18 pm - Halftime Notes
- Wake Forest scored more points in the first half against Virginia than it did in three games in the whole month of October (22 points).
- Kevin Patterson's 53-yard interception return was Wake Forest's first defensive TD this season. The Deacons led the nation with eight defensive touchdowns last year.
- It was Patterson's fourth interception of the year, the seventh of his career and his second career TD return (at Florida State in 2006).
- Riley Skinner extended his streak to 124 consecutive passes attempted without an interception.
- Wake Forest is wearing gold jerseys for the first time in at least 52 years. The last time the Deacons wore gold jerseys, the campus was located in Wake Forest, NC. The college moved to Winston-Salem in 1956 and gold jerseys had not been worn since the campus moved.
- CB Brandon Ghee, a starter in the first six games, returned to action after missing two games with a foot injury.
- RB Josh Adams was available but less than 100 percent so did not see action in the first half. Adams practiced all week after suffering a sprained left ankle against Miami on Oct. 25.
- Wake Forest forced three turnovers in the first half. The Deacons scored 14 points off those three turnovers.
- Brandon Pendergrass' 84 yards rushing is a career-high. Pendergrass had 59 yards rushing on Wake Forest's third scoring drive of the first half.
- Riley Skinner has completed nine of 13 passes to six different receivers.
5:11 pm - Halftime Stats
- Riley Skinner is 9-of-13 for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Mark Verica is 7-of-20 for just 42 yards.
- Brandon Pendergrass has a career-high 84 yards on 16 carries while Cavalier running back Cedric Peerman has 40 yards on eight carries.
- DJ Boldin leads the Deacon receivers with four catches for 10 yards and Devon Brown has one grab for 58 yards and a touchdown. For Virginia, Kevin Ogletree has two catches for 18 yards and Kris Burd has one catch for 17 yards.
- Wake has picked up 10 first downs compared to six for Virginia. The Deacs have 198 yards of total offense and have held Virginia to just 82 yards on 30 plays.
- Wake has forced three turnovers (2 f, 1 int) and have given the ball up just once on a fumble.
- WFU leads in time of possession 18:47 to 11:13.
4:58 pm - Halftime
Virginia picked up a pair of first downs through the air but a good pass break up down the middle of the field from Brandon Ghee forced a Cavalier punt. The punt went into the endzone for a touchback and after a pair of rushes, the Deacons were content with a 25-point heading into the locker room.
Stay tuned for halftime stats.
4:52 pm - Wake Forest 28, Virginia 3
Safety Kevin Patterson intercepted a pass that was deflected by Chip Vaughn at the Wake 47. Patterson took off and got a few good blocks to go 53 yards for the score.
The interception return for a touchdown was the first for Wake since Nov. 7, 2007 when Aaron Curry took a pick to the house against NC State.
The 28 points is also the most scored by the Deacs in the first half this season.
4:45 pm - Wake Forest 21, Virginia 3
Welcome to the Brandon Pendergrass show. The redshirt freshman ran for 59 yards and helped the Deacs pick up five first down on the scoring drive. The scoring play was a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Pendergrass for his fourth touchdown of the season.
The drive was just shy of a marathon, covering 71 yards on 15 plays in 8:49. It was the Deacs' longest scoring drive of the season and Pendergrass accounted for 61 of the 71 yards.
4:36 pm
The Deacs just picked up their 3rd first down on this drive and have the ball down to the Virginia 33 yard line.
4:29 pm - Wake Forest 14, Virginia 3
After a 17-yard pass from Verica to Kris Burd brought the ball down the Wake 16, the Demon Deacon defense held strong and forced a 33-yard field from Robert Randolph. The kick was good and the Wake lead is now 11. Virginia's scoring drive was 7 plays for 57 yards and 1:51.
4:26 pm
On the first play of the second quarter, Cedric Peerman scrambled for 26 yards into Wake Forest territory and a late hit out of bounds took the ball all the way down to the Deacon 32 yard line. The Cavaliers are on the move in the Wake Forest end.
4:22 pm - End of the first quarter
On 3rd and 7, Skinner found Marshall Williams on a post route for a 21-yard gain but an ineligible receiver downfield wiped out the play and forced a 3rd and 12. The Deacs could not convert and were forced to punt the ball back to the Cavaliers.
Virginia has a 2nd and 10 from its own 27 when the second quarter begins.
4:16 pm -
The Virginia offense can't seem to get on track so far this afternoon as the Wake defense has forced a number of false start penalties. This was the 3rd straight 3-and-out for Virginia and after a 47-yard punt, the Deacs will take over 1st and 10 on its own 32.
4:10 pm - Wake Forest 14, Virginia 0
TOUCHDOWN! On 3rd and 15 from the Wake 42, Skinner rolled right and lofted a perfectly thrown pass down the right sideline that hit Devon Brown in stride for a 58-yard touchdown pass.
It was Brown's first career touchdown reception and the 58-yard play was the longest play from scrimmage for the Deacs this season.
The drive lasted just three plays and covered 53 yards in 1:28.
4:08 pm
On Virginia's second play after the fumble recovery, Curry again broke through the line and hit Cavalier quarterback Mark Verica as he was attempting a pass. The ball fluttered up into the air and fell into the big mits of Boo Robinson for his second career interception.
This was the second turnover of the day for Virginia and the Deacons now have it 1st and 10 on its own 47.
4:05 pm
The Demon Deacon defense held strong again. A pair of incomplete passes and a stuffed run forced a Virginia punt.
However, Jimmy Howell's punt hit Wake's Kevin Harris in the back before it could to Alphonso Smith. Virginia recovered the fumble at the Wake 48. 1st and 10 for Virginia.
3:58 pm
The Wake defense has had a knack for causing fumbles as of late and today is no different. Aaron Curry broke through the line and hit Cedric Peerman in the backfield. The ball popped loose and Curry fell on it at the Virginia 40. Wake took over but a clipping penalty on the ensuing Wake drive forced a three and out.
Popham's punt went into the endzone and the Hoos will start their next drive from the 20 with 6:14 to go in the first quarter.
3:53 pm
Third string kicker Andrew Wright is handling the kickoff duties today and he proceeded to boom the ensuing kickoff down the goal line. Seems like these type of kicks happen a lot, but when your All-American kicker is sidelined for his fifth straight game, these things seem to stand out.
3:51 pm - Wake Forest 7, Virginia 0
On 4th on about an inch on the Virginia 23 yard line, Skinner went up the middle for a three-yard gain and a Wake Forest first down. Skinner then hit Brinkman for a 15-yard completion down the five yard line for another first down.
After a pair of runs, Skinner found Wooster on a crossing route in the back of the endzone for a two-yard touchdown pass. The drive consisted of 11 plays, covering 51 yards in 5:05.
The touchdown grab was the first for Wooster since the opening game of the season against Baylor. He strained a hamstring at Maryland and this is his first game back after missing the last two.
3:43 pm
Here's a look at Wake Forest's starters for today game.
Offense
QB - #11 Riley Skinner
TB - #22 Brandon Pendergrass
WR - #88 Chip Brinkman
FB - #44 Mike Rinfrette
WR - #4 D.J. Boldin
TE - #80 Ben Wooster
LT - #76 Joe Birdsong
LG - #78 Joe Looney
C - #72 Russell Nenon
RG - #61 Barrett McMillin
RT - #64 Jeff Griffin
Defense
DE - #42 Matt Robinson
NG - #96 Boo Robinson
DT - #51 John Russell
DE - #97 Kyle Wilber
LB - #59 Aaron Curry
LB - #43 Stanley Arnoux
LB - #39 Chantz McClinic
CB - #2 Alphonso Smith
FS - #9 Chip Vaughn
SS - #10 Kevin Patterson
CB - #17 Brandon Ghee
3:41 pm
We're under way. Virginia got the ball first and the Wake defense forced a three and out. The Deacs took over on the near midfield and picked up a first down on a 12 yard run from Brandon Pendergrass on 3rd and 3. Wake is on the move in Virginia territory.
Coin Toss - 3:32 pm
The Wake Forest captains for today's game are D.J. Boldin and Aaron Curry. Wake has won the toss and will defer to the second half. Virginia will receive and defend the couth goal.
Gate Keeper - 3:28 pm
This week's gate keeper is the former basketball great Tyrone Curtis Bogues, better known as Muggsy. Bogues was the shortest player to play in the NBA at 5'3" and yet the man could still dunk a basketball. He is wearing a football jersey with the No. 1 on his back.
Getting Closer - 3:13 pm
With just under 22 minutes until kickoff, the teams have left the field and the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black is making their way on out for its pregame show.
The stands are filling up a bit more and the hillside is getting crowded. Just a perfect day for a football game here at BB&T.
ACC Watch - 3:09 pm
All true Wake Forest fans know what happened between Maryland and Virginia Tech on Thursday night but another key games was played earlier this afternoon. North Carolina took care of business at home, winning 28-7 over Georgia Tech. Tech falls back to 4-3 in the conference with the loss. That makes this game even more important for Virginia who comes in at 3-2 in the ACC and a win will give them the outright lead in the coastal division.
Do I sound redundant in saying this is a big game for each side?
And now we wait... - 2:42 pm
The fans are making their way in and the teams are on the field warming up. There is a nice breeze sweeping through the stadium which may make things a bit interesting today.
The fans in the east stands are blanketed in sunshine and not complaining about the breeze. Don't ask the fans on the west side about the wind.
We know about Wake's new look, but nothing new from Virginia. The Cavaliers are clad in their all white uniforms with dark blue helmets.
New Duds- 2:26 pm
It's official! The Deacs have broken out the covited gold jerseys for today's game. Combined with their black pants, I think they look pretty sharp. Let's hope they bring the same outcome as the all black look.
Interesting Game Note- 1:59 pm
The last time Wake Forest beat Virginia in Winston-Salem was in 1983 when current Virginia coach Al Groh was at the helm of the Deacs. Wake will look to snap a ten game losing skid to Virginia here at BB&T Field.
Getting Ready- 1:53 pm
Some of the players are out on the field tossing the ball around and getting mentally prepared. The Virginia bus pulled up about five minutes ago and some of the Cavaliers are out on the field as well.
Virginia had a walk through yesterday afternoon so this won't be their first look at the field.
Uniform Watch- 1:12 pm
Word has it that you are going to see a uniform combination that you may not have seen before. Stay tuned to find out about the Deacs new digs.
Welcome - 12:49 pm
Welcome to a beautiful sunny afternoon at BB&T Field where Wake Forest welcomes the Cavaliers of Virginia to town for a critical ACC matchup. After a Thursday night where many Demon Deacon fans pulled their burnt orange and Chicago maroon out of the closet, the Deacs can now focus their attention on another big game this afternoon.
Stay tuned throughout the afternoon for what should be another entertaining day.
Blog by Media Relations Assistant Gary Petit.
