BLACKSBURG, VA – Wake Forest converted when it mattered most Saturday at Lane Stadium, defeating Virginia Tech 30-23 in a game that showcased two contrasting halves and came down to a final defensive stand in Blacksburg.
The Deacons improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play behind quarterback Robby Ashford's 256 passing yards and a balanced offensive attack that racked up 347 total yards. Virginia Tech dropped to 2-4 and 1-1 in conference action despite outgaining Wake Forest on the ground 152-91.
Wake Forest's offense found its rhythm in the second quarter after a slow start. Trailing 7-3 early in the period, the Deacons scored three touchdowns in a span of 10 minutes and 51 seconds to seize control. Running back Demond Claiborne capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to put Wake Forest ahead 10-7. After Virginia Tech responded with a touchdown pass from Kyron Drones to Takye Heath, the Deacons answered immediately with a seven-play, 55-yard march that ended with Ty Clark's 3-yard scoring plunge.
The most impressive drive came with just 1:39 remaining in the half. Starting from the Virginia Tech 44-yard line following a punt, Wake Forest moved quickly down the field. Ashford completed passes of 6 and 17 yards to Carlos Hernandez and Micah Mays Jr., then scrambled for 3 yards before finding Eni Falayi for an 11-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. The seven-play sequence gave Wake Forest a 24-14 halftime advantage and all the momentum.
Virginia Tech refused to fold in the second half. The Hokies dominated the third quarter, holding possession for 10 minutes and 19 seconds while scoring nine points. A 12-play, 60-yard drive resulted in John Love's 32-yard field goal. After forcing a three-and-out, Virginia Tech added another Love field goal from 38 yards. When Wake Forest answered with Connor Calvert's 29-yard field goal, the Hokies drove again, this time converting a turnover into three more points. Isaiah Brown-Murray's interception of Ashford at the Wake Forest 15-yard line set up Love's third field goal of the quarter, a 34-yarder that cut the deficit to 27-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter belonged to Wake Forest's ability to sustain drives and keep the Hokies' offense off the field. The decisive series began at the Wake Forest 31-yard line with 8:44 remaining. Ashford efficiently moved the chains, converting three third downs during the 13-play drive. A pass interference penalty on Virginia Tech's Jordan Bass moved the ball to the Hokies 26, and Wake Forest methodically worked the clock down. Facing fourth-and-5 from the Virginia Tech 10, Calvert connected on a 27-yard field goal with 2:14 left to extend the lead to 30-23.
Virginia Tech's final possession began at its own 25-yard line with 2:08 remaining. Drones scrambled for 4 yards on first down, but the drive stalled quickly. An incompletion to P.J. Prioleau was followed by another incompletion under pressure from Karon Prunty. On fourth-and-6, Drones looked deep for Heath, but Nick Andersen broke up the pass at the Wake Forest 45-yard line, ending Virginia Tech's comeback hopes with 1:43 on the clock.
Ashford completed 24 of 39 passes with one touchdown and one interception. He also contributed on the ground with 22 yards on 13 carries, though he lost 17 yards on sacks. His primary targets were Hernandez and Chris Barnes, who each caught five passes. Hernandez gained 51 yards while Barnes added 21 yards and 21 rushing yards. Sawyer Racanelli provided the big-play element with three catches for 88 yards, including a 62-yard reception in the third quarter that set up Calvert's field goal.
Claiborne and Clark shared the workload in the backfield. Claiborne carried seven times for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Clark had four carries for 22 yards and a score. Clark also contributed three receptions for 18 yards. Falayi caught four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Tech's ground game featured three capable runners. Terion Stewart led the way with nine carries for 62 yards, including a 43-yard burst in the second quarter. Malachi Hawkins added 11 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. Drones carried 13 times for 36 yards but lost 20 on sacks, finishing with a modest 2.8 yards per carry average.
Drones completed 14 of 28 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards. Donavon Greene led the receiving corps with four catches for 52 yards, while Heath had three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury in the fourth quarter.
Wake Forest's defense recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss totaling 25 yards. Davaughn Patterson led all defenders with eight total tackles (three solo, five assists). Nick Andersen added seven tackles and contributed to pressure throughout the afternoon. Langston Hardy registered one sack for 11 yards, while Nuer Gatkuoth recorded one sack for 8 yards and came up with the critical fourth-quarter stop on Drones.
Virginia Tech's defense was led by Ben Bell, who finished with nine total tackles (two solo, seven assists). Jaden Keller added seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Jason Abbey recorded the Hokies' only sack, a 17-yard loss that led to an intentional grounding penalty in the second quarter.
Special teams played a supporting role throughout. Calvert made all three of his field goal attempts for Wake Forest (33, 29, and 27 yards) and converted all three extra points. Love went 3-for-4 on field goals for Virginia Tech, missing a 49-yarder in the fourth quarter that could have made the final minutes more manageable for the Hokies.
Top Performers:
- Robby Ashford, Wake Forest: 24-of-39 passing, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Sawyer Racanelli, Wake Forest: 3 receptions, 88 yards
- Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech: 9 carries, 62 yards
- Davaughn Patterson, Wake Forest: 8 total tackles (3 solo, 5 assists), 1 TFL
- Connor Calvert, Wake Forest: 3-of-3 field goals, 3-of-3 extra points
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