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Wake Recap

By Chris B.

"Nice throw Jordan, . . . . .(50 yards later) oh and even better tackle JORDAN!"

        Me during the pick 6 of death.

Overall

    This is going to hurt, and for a long time.  I don't know what's the worst loss, The Duke 50 second game, the Duke Final Four game, or this.  It is right up there with them.  I missed the Lattimore fumble and Wake FG watching the conclusion of the UVA, GT game on the quality ESPNU network.  So for us to tie it up fairly easily and then take a 10-3 lead after honestly running the ball down their throats, I was pretty psyched.  Things were looking even better as the lead went to 17-3 at the half.  All was going well, and Wake really was having trouble moving the ball.   Riley Skinner was not sharp, and the Terps D was keeping that misdirection crap in check. 

In the 3rd quarter Lattimore scores a TD and wow 24-3.  I am having a hard time believing it, but I sure was enjoying it.  Then it all starts.  We run the reverse to Heyward-Bey, and I am thinking he is going to score, however he gets caught at the 3.  I still don't know how he didn't get it in, but I was still thinking, ehh, we can pound it in.  To this point, Ball, Cory Jackson, and Lattimore have all scored rushing TD's.    Bury them, worse case scenario, we get Obi out there and the lead goes to 27-3.  First down, they stop the run.  Second down, incomplete to Gronkowski.  I was shaking my head, but I was thinking Fridge must want to get Steffy some TD's or something.  3rd down, and he drops back to throw what will forever be known as the pick 6 of death to me.  I just couldn't believe it.  100 yards later our potential 27-3 lead was now a nerve racking 24-10 lead, and uncle Mo, had clearly swung to the Deacs.  The Text from John, we can never make it easy, was just so true.  I don't think either of us thought what actually happened would happen.

Then this may have been what bothered me even more.  The play calling after that just went into protect Steffy mode.  I don't know if Fridge made him scared to take any chances, or if the plays that were called allowed for nothing but dumps.  Anyway, you could see it in every ones eyes, they were trying to hang on for dear life, instead of taking the game back.  Even after 24-17, and we get the pick with 3:05 left, you would have thought they could have either put points on the board or ate up more clock. 

Well that quickly gets the ball back to Wake and the rest is history.  The Prevent Defense again prevents the win.  OT and you could tell we were going to have no chance.  Even after winning the toss and conventional wisdom is to take Defense first, I was kind of thinking, you know what the way the offense just roared back, make them wait.  Don't put them back on the field.  They scored like we were only playing with 6 guys on D, and we went backwards in the OT.  Ball game.

Game Highlights:  Well there could have been many, but man is it tough to give one out after the lowlights.  I am going to have to go with the Defenses 3 interceptions.

Game Lowlights:  Do we really need to review this again.

MVP:  I am going to have to go with Erin Henderson.  12 tackles, 1 forced fumble and an interception.  Sounds like a good day, oh yeah, they blew it!

Random Thought:  Basketball starts November 11th, by the way Bob's philosophy on not getting excited about recruits until they are in uniform comes into play, as prized Center recruit Terrance Jennings decommits.  When it rains it pours.  The only shining light for me was the Phils win in the 10th against the Nats to remain 1.5 behind the Mets and 1/2 game behind the Padres for the wild card.  Look for inevitable losing streak to keep them out of the postseason again this year.

Around the ACC

Miami 34 #20 Texas A&M 17.  The Canes looked like the Canes of old on Thursday night playing a swarming D, and controlling the ball the majority of the game. 

UNC 10 #23 South Florida 37.  In yet another blow to the ACC's ego, the Bulls jumped out early, and never really looked back.  Not a real surprise to me.

#15 Clemson 42  NCST  20.  Big win for the Tigers as they rushed all over the Wuffies.  Clemson improves to 4-0.  Another great start, but can they maintain it?  Stay tuned for the inevitable late season collapse.

UVA 28 GT 23.  UVA jumped out to an early lead, but had to come from behind to pull this one out in Charlottesville.  UVA improves to 3-0 in the conference.  Wins however are against Dook, UNC and GT who once looked like world beaters, but quickly come back to earth.

Army 17  #14 BC 37  Matt Ryan continues to increase his draft day status by throwing for 345 yards.  This was BC's first non-conference game.  Talk about getting the shaft with the schedule.

Duke 43 Navy 46.  Wow, I must admit, I had this one CSTV for a few minutes and Dook was way up.  I was shocked to see Navy ripped off 14 4th quarter points to pull out the win.  Dukes win streak ends at 1.

William and Mary 3 #17 VT 44.   Tech scored on offense, defense, and special teams in this one.