Matthew Dennis kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:48 to play and Wake Forest’s defense came up with another turnover to preserve a 27-24 victory at Stanford in Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday.
Nick Andersen intercepted Ashton Daniels’ pass with 22 seconds left after Stanford moved into Wake Forest territory. The pick clinched the outcome, giving the Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2 ACC) back-to-back road triumphs going into an open week. Hank Bachmeier threw for three touchdowns in a return to his home state.
Bachmeier was 20-for-31 for 245 yards with an interception and teammate Demond Claiborne rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries.
Stanford (2-6, 1-4) has a five-game losing streak, with three of those at home.
Daniels threw for 214 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Stanford committed four turnovers, with the Demon Deacons scoring touchdowns after the first two.
Wake Forest’s winning drive was set up by Taylor Morin’s 36-yard punt return to midfield. The Demon Deacons used 10 plays before the field goal for the final points in a game they never trailed.
After the Cardinal made a goal-line stand to stay within 24-17, Stanford marched 99 yards in 15 plays to tie the game on Daniels’ 16-yard pass to Sam Roush with 8:41 remaining.
Wake Forest took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with Bachmeier throwing 30 yards to Micah Mays Jr. and 39 yards to Tate Carney.
The Cardinal got even about six minutes into the second quarter. Justin Larson ran in from 1 yard out and then Tevarua Tafiti returned Bachmeier’s fumble 44 yards for a touchdown.
The Demon Deacons went back ahead on their next possession on Dennis’ 35-yard field goal and boosted the edge to 24-14 on Bachmeier’s 18-yard pass to Morin just five plays after Andersen recovered a Stanford fumble.
Stanford closed within 24-17 by halftime on Emmet Kenney’s 40-yard field goal. He missed from 46 yards away in the first quarter.
–Field Level Media
