Sports > September 25, 2008

By Matt Six | Staff writer

The Demon Deacon defense shined as it held the No. 24 Florida State Seminoles to one field goal while forcing seven turnovers in a 12-3 win at Doak Campbell Stadium Sept. 20. The victory marks the third straight victory for Wake over FSU.

click to enlarge

Wake Forest players tackle an Ole Miss player in the home game Sept. 6. The Deacs will look to host Navy for the next game, Sept. 27 at 3:45 p.m. (Mary Kate Wagner/Old Gold & Black)

Junior Sam Swank connected on four field goals and earned the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award for the second time this season.

Swank hit on field goals from 48, 29, 49 and 31 yards. In scoring 12 points, he passed Florida State’s Xavier Beitia for third place as the highest scorer in ACC history.

The story of the game was the stifling Wake defense.

The Wake Forest defense boasts several jaw-dropping statistics after their dominating performance: In the last two games that Wake Forest has played against FSU in Tallahassee, the Deacs held the ‘Noles to a total of three points, outscoring the Seminoles 42-3.

FSU quarterbacks accumulated 118 passing yards during the game. Wake defenders accumulated 131 return yards on five Seminole interceptions.

Here is an even more impressive statistic: Ever since Bobby Bowden became head coach in 1976, Florida State has scored at least 10 points in every home game except for two.

With a 30-0 shutout victory in 2006 and a 12-3 win Sept. 20, Wake Forest accounts for both of these games.

Making their defensive performance even more impressive, Wake matched up against an FSU offense that put up a whopping 115 points in its first two games against Western Carolina and Chattanooga. The Florida State offense managed only three points on 220 total yards against a stingy Wake defense.

“I don’t know if we could ever play a better defensive game, as far as forcing turnovers and making things happen,” Grobe said. “That’s as good as we can play.”

Senior Kevin Patterson was the star of the defensive unit, intercepting two throws and forcing a fumble. Seniors Alphonso Smith, Aaron Curry and Chip Vaughn joined the pick party with an interception apiece. The other fumble was forced by junior Brandon Ghee as he tackled FSU’s Preston Parker.

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder said to the media prior to the Saturday night game, “It’s going to be tough for us to lose this game.”

The quote appeared on the television as Ponder lined up to make his first snap against an ACC opponent. Ponder’s prediction crumbled as his first pass sailed into Smith’s arms. Smith’s interception set the tone for the night, and it is safe to say that Ponder will not be making another pregame prediction this season.

Despite frequently receiving good field positions following the forced turnovers, the Wake Forest offense struggled to capitalize.

Five prime scoring opportunities ended in no points for the Deacs. Junior Sam Swank missed three field goals, failing to convert from 27, 48 and 32 yards out.

Grobe elected to go for it on fourth-and-one on the FSU 10; however, Skinner’s pass was batted down by FSU linebacker Kenny Ingram.

The failed scoring opportunity that hurt the team the most came after a fumble by Skinner on the FSU 2, leaving many Wake fans frustrated yet optimistic during halftime.

Offensively, Skinner finished the game 17-29 for 217 yards.

In the first quarter, he threw a beautiful ball to sophomore Marshall Williams for a 52-yard gain. Williams nearly dropped the ball, but he used his helmet to reel in the catch.

Adams and Pendergrass struggled on the ground, amassing only 59 yards on 38 carries. Pendergrass rushed for a loss of nine yards against a formidable FSU defensive line.

Thankfully for the Deacons, the defense stepped up and led the team to victory.

The defensive effort followed an Ole Miss victory where the Wake offense led the team to a win after the defense yielded a late touchdown.

“I think the defense was embarrassed,” Grobe said in reference to the Ole Miss game.

“We didn’t make a big deal out of it, but I know that they were embarrassed.”

This time, instead of embarrassing themselves, the defense embarrassed the Florida State offense at home.

Wake Forest will take on Navy Saturday, Sept. 27 at BB&T Field. Navy returns starting senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada and he – along with running back Shun White – will run a triple-option offense put together by former coach Paul Johnson.

Johnson and his “perfect option” offense headed to Georgia Tech, and his Yellow Jackets are in the hunt for a Coastal Division crown.

Both teams will flaunt two of the marquee field goal kickers in the nation.

Wake’s Swank and Navy’s Matt Harmon both won the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award for their performances against FSU and Rutgers, respectively.

Harmon converted on three field goal attempts against Rutgers, including a game-winning 24-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter.