Written by Garin Turner
The 2017 Belk Bowl is in the books. After a rough start, Wake Forest (8-5) prevailed 55-52 against Texas A&M (7-6) in a wild game.
The Demon Deacon’s fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter after back to back blocked punts. The first punt was recovered in the end zone for the first score. Aggie RB Trayveon Williams scored on a 2-yard run to bring the score to 14-0.
Wake Forest then responded by scoring 31 unanswered points. QB John Wolford connected on a 50-yard score to WR Scotty Washington to get things going for the Demon Deacons. With 5:47 left in the first quarter, Tabari Hines hauled in a diving catch for a seven-yard score to tie the game up at 14.
Hines would score again on another seven-yard touchdown grab to bring the score to 24-14. After a three and out, Jessie Bates III returned a punt 59-yards for the score.
Not to be outdone, Texas A&M finally answered with a 52-yard strike from QB Nick Starkel to Christian Kirk. The Aggies wouldn't retake the lead again until 1:59 left in the third quarter when Keith Ford punched it in from a yard out to make it 42-41.
The fourth quarter played out like a heavyweight boxing match with each team trading blows. There were three lead changes in the 4th. Cade Carney scored on a 1-yard run to give Wake Forest the lead 48-45.
WR Jhamon Ausbon capped off a 10 play, 72-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown reception to give the lead back to the Aggies 52-48 with 5:52 left in the game.
Wake Forest marched down the field on 13 plays and 69 yards. The most important yard was the last yard when Matt Colburn scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:18 remaining in the game. "When these games are over I'm emotionally spent. When it goes your way you're thankful and when it doesn't you're depressed," Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson said.
Wolford was the Belk Bowl player of the game as he threw for 400 yards on 32/49 attempts and four touchdowns. "It's been a heck of a ride," Wolford said.
Colburn finished the day with 21 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. Wake Forest receivers had a big day lead by Washington who had nine receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Cam Serigne also had nine receptions. He added 112 yards and a touchdown. Hines had the two touchdowns on eight receptions for 58 yards.
The Aggies blocked three kicks in the game as special teams played a huge part in the game. Starkel was 42/63 for 499 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. Kirk had a career day in what may have been his final colligate game finishing with 13 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow wide out Ausbon had 12 receptions for 112 yards and a score.
Between the two teams, 195 plays were ran. Wake Forest outgained the Aggies 646-614.
Wake Forest begins 2018 on the road against Tulane.
Texas A&M will face Northwestern State at home in the 2018 opener.
The Demon Deacon’s fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter after back to back blocked punts. The first punt was recovered in the end zone for the first score. Aggie RB Trayveon Williams scored on a 2-yard run to bring the score to 14-0.
Wake Forest then responded by scoring 31 unanswered points. QB John Wolford connected on a 50-yard score to WR Scotty Washington to get things going for the Demon Deacons. With 5:47 left in the first quarter, Tabari Hines hauled in a diving catch for a seven-yard score to tie the game up at 14.
Hines would score again on another seven-yard touchdown grab to bring the score to 24-14. After a three and out, Jessie Bates III returned a punt 59-yards for the score.
Not to be outdone, Texas A&M finally answered with a 52-yard strike from QB Nick Starkel to Christian Kirk. The Aggies wouldn't retake the lead again until 1:59 left in the third quarter when Keith Ford punched it in from a yard out to make it 42-41.
The fourth quarter played out like a heavyweight boxing match with each team trading blows. There were three lead changes in the 4th. Cade Carney scored on a 1-yard run to give Wake Forest the lead 48-45.
WR Jhamon Ausbon capped off a 10 play, 72-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown reception to give the lead back to the Aggies 52-48 with 5:52 left in the game.
Wake Forest marched down the field on 13 plays and 69 yards. The most important yard was the last yard when Matt Colburn scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:18 remaining in the game. "When these games are over I'm emotionally spent. When it goes your way you're thankful and when it doesn't you're depressed," Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson said.
Wolford was the Belk Bowl player of the game as he threw for 400 yards on 32/49 attempts and four touchdowns. "It's been a heck of a ride," Wolford said.
Colburn finished the day with 21 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. Wake Forest receivers had a big day lead by Washington who had nine receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Cam Serigne also had nine receptions. He added 112 yards and a touchdown. Hines had the two touchdowns on eight receptions for 58 yards.
The Aggies blocked three kicks in the game as special teams played a huge part in the game. Starkel was 42/63 for 499 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. Kirk had a career day in what may have been his final colligate game finishing with 13 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow wide out Ausbon had 12 receptions for 112 yards and a score.
Between the two teams, 195 plays were ran. Wake Forest outgained the Aggies 646-614.
Wake Forest begins 2018 on the road against Tulane.
Texas A&M will face Northwestern State at home in the 2018 opener.