ACC DN Video: RB Arkeem Byrd 59-Yard TD Run | Highlights
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (wakeforestsports.com) - Wake Forest used a relentless offensive attack and a smothering defense in a 46-10 win over Utah State.
The Demon Deacons (3-0, 1-0 ACC) torched the Utah State (1-2, 0-0 MWC) defense for 588 total yards of offense, the most since the Deacons had 591 yards vs. Elon in 2015.
Wake Forest's offense was clicking behind quarterback John Wolford who threw two touchdown passes and had a rushing score. He became the first Wake Forest player to score a rushing and passing touchdown in three consecutive games.
Wide receiver Greg Dortch and tight end Cam Serigne each had a touchdown reception while Arkeem Byrd and Matt Colburn each had a rushing touchdown along with Wolford. Hines and Byrd became the first Wake Forest duo to have a 100-yard receiving and 100-yard rushing game since 2011.
Amari Henderson led the defensive effort with seven solo tackles while Luke Masterson and Grant Dawson finished with six tackles each. The defense recorded 11 tackles for loss, led by two each from Essang Bassey, Willie Yarbary and Duke Ejiofor. As a team, the Deacs limited Utah State to just 42 yards of rushing and 11 first downs.
Wake Forest took an early 7-0 lead after a 43-yard touchdown pass from Wolford to Dortch. The touchdown came one play after an interception from Cameron Glenn. The interception was returned for a touchdown but called back on a penalty, setting up the Demon Deacon offensive score.
Nearly 90 seconds later, Wake Forest added on with a 45-yard strike from Wolford to Serigne which extended the advantage to 14-0. A 31-yard field goal from Mike Weaver made it a 17-0 lead for the Deacons shortly into the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, punter Dom Maggio pinned Utah State on its own goal line with a 50-yard punt. On the ensuing play, Carlos Basham, Jr. and Grant Dawson forced a safety as Wake Forest made it 19-0.
After the safety, Byrd ran for a 59-yard touchdown after blowing through the Utah State secondary. Weaver tacked on a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter with Wake Forest leading 29-0 heading into the locker room.
Early in the third quarter, Jessie Bates III ran a punt back for 75-yards deep into Utah State territory. On the following play Colburn scored for the Deacons making the score 36-0.
The Aggies added a third quarter touchdown to end the shutout. On the next drive for Wake Forest, Wolford had two long pass plays to Tabari Hines before powering through for an 18-yard touchdown run.
Both teams traded field goals in the third quarter bringing the final score to 46-10 in favor of Wake Forest.