A tough one: Wake drops a 1-point decision to UVA (31-30) in their ACC opener

Preview: Virginia Cavaliers (1-0, 0-0) take on the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (1-0, 0-0) in the ACC opener for both teams

Coming off season opening wins against in-state opponents respectively, the Virginia Cavaliers (1-0, 0-0) come calling to Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (September 7, 2024/7pm EST kickoff in Winston-Salem, NC) to take on the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (1-0, 0-0) as both teams look to get off to a positive start in their first ACC (conference) game.

Virginia is coming off a 34-13 win against in-state opponent Richmond. The offense is led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea (247 passing yards/73.9 completion percentage/2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions) and a run game which averages 5.4 yards per game (in the early season), which is spearheaded by Kobe Pace (93 rushing yards/8.5 yards per carry/1 touchdown). A key receiver in the passing game is wideout Malachi Fields (5 receptions/100 yards/20 yards per catch), as the Cavs look to challenge a Wake defense which allows 337 total yards (185 rushing yards allowed in their season opener/4.2 yards per carry). The Deacs counter on defense with safety Nick Andersen (14 total tackles) along with accumulating 3 sacks in their win against NC A&T (45-13), as defensive end Jasheen Davis, defensive tackle Kevin Pointer, and linebacker Branson Combs have a sack apiece.

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier (263 passing yards/64.3 completion percentage/3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions), who directs the team on a 31-point run in their season opener, is likely to see the majority of snaps on offense. Complimented by running back Demond Claiborne (135 rushing yards/7.9 yards per carry/1 touchdown) and a receiving corps paced by Taylor Morin (6 receptions/100 yards/16.7 yards per reception), the Deacs look to test a Cavalier defense who allows a stingy 257 total yards of offense in their season opener. On defense, safeties Jonas Sanker and Antonio Clary (both have 8 total tackles to lead the defense) look to lead the Wahoos (or Hoos, their alternate nickname) in slowing down a Wake offense which has a 500-plus yard performance in their season opener (513 total yards).

Game highlights: The Cavaliers overcome a 13 point deficit and come away with a 1-point win over Wake

The Deacs would take an early 7-0 lead thanks to Demond Clairborne's 17-yard touchdown run on the team's first drive (11:37 in the 1st quarter). After the Cavaliers cut into the lead (7-3, 5:39) thanks to Will Bettridge's 19-yard field goal (after an early defensive stand by Wake), the Deacs close out the 1st quarter (2:27) with a field goal by Matthew Dennis (21-yards) to take a 10-3 lead.

The 2nd quarter sees both teams getting in gear in offense despite a sound defensive and special teams effort by Wake.

After a deflected pass turned interception by defensive tackle Kevin Pointer, Demond Clairborne's 2-yard scoring run gives Wake a 17-3 lead (13:01 in the 2nd quarter). The Cavaliers would battle back as quarterback Anthony Colandrea would engineer a scoring drive capped off by his 18-yard scoring strike to tight end Tyler Neville (10:05 in the 2nd quarter) to cut the lead to 17-10. Matthew Dennis would add another field goal (7:17 in the 2nd quarter) to give Wake a 20-10 lead, only to see the Cavaliers inch back into the game thanks to a second scoring connection betwen Colandrea and Neville (24-yard touchdown pass), making it a 20-17 lead for the Deacs.

Deuce Alexander would come up with a big special teams play for the Deacs, as his blocked punt with 2 seconds left in the first half gives Wake an opportunity to garner some additional points, but Hank Bachmeier's pass to Taylor Morin (a 26-yard completion) leaves them short of the end zone.

Focused on getting some distance between themselves and the Cavaliers, Wake opens the 2nd half/3rd quarter with a sustained scoring drive, capped off by a 3-yard touchdown reception by Donavon Greene (7:40 in the 3rd quarter), extending their lead to 27-17.

Matthew Dennis would add a 26-yard field goal (2:10 in the 3rd quarter) to give Wake a 30-17 lead. However, the Hoos would make another run to get back in the game, as Anthony Colandrea (10:37 in the 4th quarter) would throw his 3rd touchdown pass of the game (a 24-yard score to Trell Harris) to get within a single score (30-24).

In the closing moments of the 4th quarter, Virginia would take its first lead of the game. Thanks to multiple 4th down conversions and deft play by Colandrea, a 1-yard plunge by Grady Brosterhous gives them a 31-30 lead with 2:07 left in the game.

Wake would get an opportunity, but after Taylor Morin's second reception of the drive, he is stripped of the ball and despite the efforts of Donavon Greene to recover the ball, the Virginia defense forces its only turnover of the game.

After the defense forces a 3 and out, they get another opportunity, albeit without any timeouts remaining, but their last ditch effort is stopped at midfield time expiring.

Post-game: Virginia overcomes a 30-17 deficit to pull out a 31-30 win over Wake Forest

Despite forcing 2 interceptions, having a blocked punt, holding the Virginia rushing attack to 2.6 yards per carry (considerably lower than the 5.4 yards per carry averaged in their season opener), winning the time of possession battle (32:10 to 27:50) and having more total offense (544 yards to 430 yards), Wake loses by 1 point.

Both Head Coach Dave Clawson and safety Nick Andersen field our questions. While there is a sense of disappointment with the outcome, the team focus is on addressing the mistakes made and getting ready, as their next game (September 14, 2024) is not just their homecoming game, but a matchup against 6th ranked Mississippi (note both remarks below):

Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea (33/43 for 357 yards along with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) along with the efforts of wideouts Malachi Fields (11 receptions for 148 yards), and Trell Harris (7 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown), along with tight end Tyler Neville (4 receptions for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns) lead the way despite the Deacs' edge in the turnover battle (2 to 1). Defensively, strong safety Antonio Clary (11 total tackles and a sack) and free safety Jonas Sanker (10 total tackles and a sack) lead the Cavaliers' effort, as they tally 6 sacks in the game.

Wake quarterback Hank Bachmeier (27/42 for 403 yards and a touchdown), running back Demond Claiborne (21 carries for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns), along with wide receivers Donavon Greene (11 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown) and Taylor Morin (7 receptions for 91 yards) pace the offense. On defense, linebacker Branson Combs (13 total tackles) and safety Nick Andersen (9 total tackles) provide a game effort.

Virginia (2-0, 1-0) hosts Maryland in their next game (September 14, 2024 at 8pm) while the Deacs look to bounce back (1-1, 0-1) as they host 6th ranked Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0) on September 14, 2024 (6:30pm EST kickoff).

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