The football team (4-6, 2-4 ACC) beat Wake Forest (6-4, 4-3 ACC) on Saturday 21-17 in its second of three consecutive games against in-state opponents. Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson led the team and extended his streak of pass attempts without interception to 175, just short of Jamie Barnette’s 1998 mark of 179.
Coach Tom O’Brien said he was pleased with the team’s effort and emphasized Wilson’s running ability and ability to scramble.
“Russell is able to get first downs. He’s great on his feet and he’s smart about throwing the football,” O’Brien said. “He’s good at forgetting about a bad pass, and he’s able to move on to the next play.”
Along with Wilson, redshirt sophomore Nate Irving and redshirt senior Anthony Hill played big roles in the Wolfpack’s victory. Irving led the team with 13 tackles including an electrifying 8-yard sack. Hill had three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.
The Wolfpack started the game with a slippery field and received Wake’s 55 yard kickoff with an 18-yard return from T.J. Graham. Only five minutes and thirty seconds into the game, Wilson threw a touchdown pass to redshirt freshman tight-end George Bryan, making it Bryan’s third of the season.
“We came out strong. When we come out hard, everybody’s pumped up on the sidelines, it just carries over from series to series,” Bryan said. “Motivation is a great thing.”
The Pack’s defense started strong holding the Deacons to a three and out on their first drive. The defense came up with big stops through out the game holding the Deacs to just 4 for 13 on third down and 1 for 3 on fourth down conversions.
“They’ve been making stops lately,” Wilson said. “They just keep working really hard in practice everyday.”
Wake Forest bounced back with a trick-play for a touchdown. Riley Skinner handed the ball off to wide receiver D.J. Boldin who passed to receiver Marshall Williams for a 64 yard touchdown.
After a Jeremy Gray interception on the State 18-yard-line the Pack was able to march 82 yards down the field and put another seven points on the board via a Wilson rushing touchdown. The Deacs returned the favor closing out the half by scoring off a 7-yard touchdown pass from Skinner to Boldin.
“You have to be disappointed with a tie at the half,” coach O’Brien said. “Things that happen can come back and haunt you, but luckily we found a way to get off the field when their offense was on third down.”
After receiving a punt from the Deacons at their own 17-yard-line, the Pack handed it back to the Deacs off a Wilson fumble on 3rd and 9. Boo Robinson recovered the ball on the State 13 yard line. In response, Nate Irving put a stop to the Deacons with a 4th and 4. Wake then took the lead with a field goal making it 17-14 to end the third quarter.
In response to the Deacons lead, the Pack pounced forward to steal the scoreboard for good with Anthony Hill’s touchdown. Wilson hit Hill in the end zone with an eight yard pass which would prove to be the game winner.
Wilson threw, ran, and then blocked for Eugene’s 10-yard rush to comfortably push the Deacon’s defense back from the end zone. Wake continued to fight, but the Pack’s defense was too strong. The game ended with two quarterback kneels and a victory for the Wolfpack.
“I think the whole team did well. We didn’t get tired. I give credit to our whole defense,” O’Brien said. “Hopefully we will get rested and get going for Chapel Hill next week.”
