Wake Forest Athletics
Witness History - Game 3
8/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 16, 2011
Witness History: Game 1 | Game 2
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Continuing the Witness History series, game three selected by the fans is the Wake Forest vs. Auburn matchup on October 27, 1979. This 42-38 victory by the Demon Deacons is one of the most memorable games in Wake Forest football history as well as the first time that two ranked teams faced each other in Groves Stadium.
In front of a stadium record crowd of more than 34,000, the 18th-ranked Demon Deacons rallied from an 18-point deficit to stun the 13th-ranked Auburn Tigers. Wake Forest head coach John Mackovic told the team at halftime "never, never, never, never, never give up" and the Deacons came out in the second half ready to execute.
The first quarter was an exciting offensive display. After Wake Forest missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, the Tigers took possession of the ball and moved to the Deacons' 24-yard line for a 40-yard field goal of their own. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, the Deacons turned the ball over once more on their own 23-yard line which led to an Auburn touchdown on the next play.
Two minutes later, the Demon Deacons worked their way down the field from 78 yards out to score their first touchdown. Quarterback Jay Venuto scored his first career touchdown from the one. The Wake Forest defense held Auburn scoreless the remainder of the quarter. With seconds left in the first quarter, the Deacons were able to take a 14-10 lead after a 72-yard drive resulted in a one-yard TD pass from Venuto to tight end Michael Mullen.
Auburn took control in the second quarter. The Tigers' first possession resulted in a 45-yard field goal. A Deacon fumble gave the ball to Auburn, which led to a touchdown three plays later.
Wake Forest forced a fumble and went 88 yards in 11 plays for a score of their own. Tailback James McDougald scored the first of his four rushing touchdowns on the day. However, this was the highlight of the quarter for the Deacs. The Tigers scored 17 more points in the final three minutes of the half to take a 38-20 lead into the locker room.
The Demon Deacons came out in the second half ready to execute and held the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the game. Wake Forest scored on its first three possessions to take the lead by moving 83, 64, and 72 yards respectively. After McDougald scored on an eight-yard run, the Deacs converted a two-point conversion to cut the Tigers lead to 38-28. Venuto found receiver Wayne Baumgardner for the successful conversion.
After an Auburn missed field goal, the Deacons scored again on a pitchout from Venuto to McDougald to cut the deficit to 38-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
The final score of the game took place with 11 minutes remaining. On their third series of the half, the Deacons began 72 yards away. On third and four, Mackovic called a play which had been used several times against Auburn in the previous season for big yardage. It ended up being a great play call as McDougald practically walked into the end zone untouched. This gave Wake Forest a 42-38 lead.
The Deacon defense held off the Tigers to ensure the victory. Late in the game, Auburn moved 77 yards down the field before the Tiger quarterback fumbled at the Deacons' three and Wake Forest's Carlos Bradley recovered the ball. The Deacs moved the ball out to the nine before they had to punt for the first time with two minutes remaining.
The Tigers' final opportunity began at midfield. On third down, Auburn tried to go deep but Wake Forest's Larry Ingram was there at the two yard line and made a huge interception. When Ingram hit the ground, the ball fell loose but Demon Deacon Landon King picked up the ball and ran for 22 yards to end the game.
Wake Forest broke many individual school records in this game including:
Quarterback Jay Venuto
- 358 passing yards
- Most passing attempts (270)
- Most completions (153)
Tailback James McDougald
- Tied school record for most touchdowns scored in one game (4)
- Career touchdowns (30)
- Career rushing (3,381 yards)
Receiver Wayne Baumgardner
- Most yards receiving in one game (159)
With the win, Wake Forest moved to 7-1 on the season and climbed to No. 14 in the national rankings. It was the Deacons' highest ranking since 1947 and would be the highest Wake would climb until the 2006 season.
The Deacons earned an invitation to the 1979 Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, where they fell to SEC power LSU.
To Witness History this fall at BB&T Field, purchase your season tickets by calling the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 888-758-DEAC (3322) or clicking here to order online.
