Wake Rallies to Beat Clemson

For the second consecutive match, Wake Forest gifted its opponent 15 first half points. And for the second consecutive match, Wake Forest stormed back in the second half. Unlike the game against South Carolina, however, the Demon Deacons were able to convert their second half turnaround today into a win.

With a 30 mph wind in their faces to start the game, Wake Forest fell behind Clemson 15-0 in the first 15 minutes, as cold hands led to multiple mishandles and overall poor play from the home side. A change in strategy by Wake midway through the half kept the Tigers from adding to their lead, and at the midway point the teams switched halves with Wake feeling confident about their ability to rebound. And rebound they did, as less than 5 minutes into the second half, sophomore flyhalf Brendan Shea touched down between the posts. A conversion by freshman Johnny McMurray made the score 15-7. Ten minutes later, Wake struck again, as senior lock Christian Jewett drove over the line. Another McMurray conversion brought Wake to within one point with a quarter of the game remaining.

Wake looked poised to take the lead and run away with the match, as Clemson was struggling in the scrum. But after scrumhalf Will Hank staked the Deacons to a 21-15 lead with another try from close in, Wake could not put the nail in the coffin and secure a bonus point with a fourth try. Despite multiple opportunities inside the Clemson 22, Wake came up empty time and again and were lucky to hold onto the victory against a resilient Tiger squad.

Wake's weekend is only halfway done, as they face UNC on Sunday morning in a makeup game that was cancelled because of the recent snowstorms. UNC defeated Appalachian St. 20-16 on Friday night.

Wake Lineup vs Clemson

1. Devin Henry, Jr. (Nick Conte, So. @ 48)

2. Mike Duffy, Sr. (c)

3. Ken Forte, Sr.

4. Ross Hilton, Sr.

5. Christian Jewett, Sr.

6. Ty Pierce, Fr. (Justen Robinett, So. @ 48)

7. Trent Justice, Sr.

8. Hunter Lostan, Jr.

9. Will Hank, So.

10. Brendan Shea, So.

11. Gabe Huertas Del Pino, Sr. (Tyler Vanston, So. @ 16)

12. David Sage, Sr.

13. Perry Salvagne, Sr.

14. Rob Kelly, Fr.

15. Johnny McMurray, Fr.

Tries: Shea, Jewett, Hank

Conversions: McMurray 3