ACC DN Video: Highlights
BOONE, N.C. (wakeforestsports.com) -- Wake Forest improved to 4-0 for the second consecutive year after downing Appalachian State 20-19 Saturday afternoon at Kidd-Brewer Stadium. In the back-and-forth battle, the Demon Deacons used a pair of blocked kicks, one field goal and one PAT, to record a victory in their first ever trip to Boone.
Despite being outgained 494-344 by the Mountaineers (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt), the Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0 ACC) used 17 second-half points to rally from behind twice for the win. The victory was sealed as Appalachian State's 39-yard game-winning field goal attempt in the final seconds was blocked by Scotty Washington.
Washington also made four catches for a career-high 79 yards to lead the Demon Deacon offense. John Wolford had 176 yards passing on the day, in addition to a team-high 77 yards rushing.
Wake Forest jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as it took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards over 11 plays before Mike Weaver's 27-yard field goal opened the scoring. Late in the opening quarter, Appalachian State took its first lead as Levi Duffield caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Lamb on a double-reverse-flea-flicker. It marked the first time this season the Deacs had trailed, but the extra point was blocked by Wendell Dunn, keeping the Mountaineer lead at 6-3, which they held at the end of the first period.
In the second quarter, an Appalachian State field goal with two minutes before intermission extended the lead to 9-3. The Mountaineers had a chance to add to the lead with another field goal on the final play of the half, but it sailed wide left to keep the score 9-3 at intermission.
The Demon Deacon offense came out strong in the second half after Appalachian State downed a punt on the 3-yard line. A 37-yard pass to Washington on the opening play got the Deacs out from the shadow of their own goalline and sparked a 9-play, 97-yard touchdown drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Wolford to Greg Dortch. It was Dortch's fifth touchdown of the season as Wake Forest took a 10-9 lead.
Appalachian State retook the lead, 16-10, on the next possession as T.J. Watkins took a shovel pass 84 yards for a touchdown.
The Demon Deacons answered again on the next drive after an Appalachian State error kept it alive. The Deacs went three-and-out to start the drive, but the Mountaineers were offside on the punt to give Wake a first down. The Deacs took advantage of the second chance and marched down the field to set-up a 6-yard touchdown pass to Cam Serigne for a 17-16 lead. The Demon Deacons took that one-point lead into the final quarter.
Appalachian State retook the lead, 19-17, with 10:35 to play on a field goal. Wake Forest responded with a field goal drive of its own, as Weaver's 25-yarder with 7:22 to play gave the Deacs a 20-19 lead.
The Mountaineers final chance to win came in the final minute as they drove into field goal range. The 39-yard attempt by Michael Rubino was blocked by Washington to seal the victory.
Wake Forest has opened the season 4-0 for the second straight season, marking the first time in program history that the Deacs have accomplished the feat in consecutive seasons.
The Demon Deacons return home Sept. 30 for their ACC home opener against No. 12 Florida State (0-2, 0-1 ACC). Kickoff at BB&T Field is 3:30 p.m.