Saturday, September 6, 2014 06:30 PM (ET)

Recap: Wake Forest 23, Gardner-Webb 7

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 6, 2014


Wake Forest 23, Gardner-Webb 7: Freshman John Wolford threw his first two career touchdown passes - both to E.J. Scott in the second half - as the host Demon Deacons shut down the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Wolford was 29-of-37 for 288 yards while surviving three interceptions as Wake Forest (1-1) outgained the Runnin' Bulldogs 387-131 - including 291-54 through the air. Scott made four catches for 62 yards, teammate Cam Serigne recorded 62 yards on five receptions and Mike Weaver kicked three field goals.

Starting quarterback Lucas Beatty was 6-of-7 for 45 yards and was sacked four times for FCS member Gardner-Webb (0-2), which recorded only one first down in the first half. Tyrell Maxwell took over from Beatty and recorded a team-high 62 yards rushing, including a 5-yard score to spoil the shutout with 21 seconds left.

Wake Forest outgained Gardner-Webb 222-17 but led only 9-0 before play was suspended with 14 seconds left in the first half because of lightning. The Demon Deacons reached the Runnin' Bulldogs' 8-yard line before back-to-back false starts led to a 28-yard field goal by Weaver - the final play before the delay.

Wake Forest, which lost its opener 17-10 at Louisiana-Monroe, scored its first offensive touchdown of the season when Wolford found Scott in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Their second TD - a 14-yard connection - came with 11:59 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Demon Deacons have won five straight home openers, including four against Big South schools. ...Gardner-Webb K Paul Schumacher missed two field goals, including a 40-yarder off the upright with 4:07 left. ... The Demon Deacons' last shutout was a 30-0 victory at Florida State on Nov. 11, 2006.
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