The Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 43-29 in the Duke's Mayo Bowl after a highly dramatic fourth quarter that saw Robby Ashford score the go-ahead-for-good touchdown on a 1-yard goal-line run and then throw a 62-yard cover-all-spreads TD pass to Ty Clark III to leave no doubt.
TAMPA – Behind a three-touchdown performance from Sam Hartman as he earned MVP honors on Friday night, Wake Forest defeated Southeastern Conference representative Missouri 27-17 to win the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The win marked Wake Forest's fifth in the last seven years since the Deacs began the Atlantic Coast Conference's second-longest bowl streak back in 2016.
Head coach Dave Clawson's five bowl victories, which is the most in school history, now ranks tied for fifth in ACC history for postseason wins. Clawson ranks behind Bobby Bowden (Florida State, 11), Dabor Swinney (Clemson, 11), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, 6) and Danny Ford (Clemson, 6). Meanwhile, he is now tied with Jimbo Fisher (Florida State, 5) and Ralph Friedgen (Maryland, 5).
Hartman earned his second-straight bowl game MVP honor, as he garnered the accolade following his standout performance against Rutgers in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in 2021.
With that, the Charlotte, N.C. native is the first player in program history to earn two bowl game MVPs in their career at Wake Forest.
Overall for the game, Hartman completed 23-of-36 passes for 280 yards and three touchdown passes. His five-yard touchdown throw to redshirt sophomore Taylor Morin in the first quarter set a new Atlantic Coast Conference record for career TD passes. The scoring toss was his 108th of his storied career as he passed Clemson's Tahj Boyd for the league record.
The 2022 Wake Forest football team (8-5, 3-5 ACC) is just the 10th in program history to win eight games in a season in the 115-year history of the program. Four of the 10 eight-win seasons have come in the Dave Clawson era (40 percent).
On Friday night, the Deacs forced one Missouri turnover and wreaked havoc in the Tigers backfield with 10 tackles-for-loss as a team. Individually, senior captain Ryan Smenda, Jr. led Wake Forest with a game-high 11 tackles, his seventh double-digit tackle performance of the season, as he moved into eighth all-time in program history with 355 career tackles.
Additionally on offense, redshirt junior wideout A.T. Perry caught 11 passes for 116 yards, marking the fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season as well as the 12th of his career.
Meanwhile, Taylor Morin reeled in a career-high tying two touchdown passes in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. Additionally, Jahmal Banks found the end zone with a 48-yard reception in the third.
Looking forward, Wake Forest Athletics is excited to raise the standard of success and looking forward to an exciting 2023 season. Season ticket deposits for the 2023 season are available now for $50 per seat. New or existing season ticket holders can visit GoDeacs.com/tickets to make their deposit online or email the Wake Forest Ticket Office at tix@wfu.edu over the holidays.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Wake Forest won the coin toss and deferred to the second half as Missouri opened the contest on offense.
The Demon Deacon defense forced a three-and-out on the Tigers' first offensive possession as Wake Forest took over at its own 15-yard line.
On 3rd and 1, Dylan Hazen and Chase Jones stuffed Missouri's rush attempt to force a punt on the opening possession of the game.
A five-yard touchdown pass from Sam Hartman to Taylor Morin gave the Deacs an early 7-0 lead with 9:43 remaining in the first quarter.
The touchdown helped Hartman pass Tajh Boyd (Clemson, 107) for the most career touchdown passes in ACC history.
Big plays fueled the 11-play, 85-yard drive as Hartman found A.T. Perry for a 28-yard pass and Justice Ellison powered his way for 14 yards on 3rd and 4.
Overall, Ellison picked up 26 yards on five carries.
Missouri trimmed Wake Forest's advantage to 7-3 with a 35-yard field goal following a 13-play, 58-yard drive.
Once the Tigers got into the red zone, the Demon Deacon defense stepped up. Evan Slocum recorded a tackle for a loss on three yards on first down before Chase Jones made a stop on 3rd down to force the field goal.
The teams traded punts on the next two possessions as Wake Forest continued to lead 7-3 with 14 minutes left in the second quarter.
Tyler Williams recorded a sack on 3rd and 5 to force Missouri's second punt of the game.
A one-yard rush by Justice Ellison increased Wake Forest's lead (14-3) with 10:51 remaining in the first half.
Hartman connected with Donavon Greene for 29 yards and Jahmal Banks for 12 yards on the first two plays of the drive before an eight-yard completion to Blake Whiteheart put the Deacs into the red zone.
Prior to Ellison's score, the Ashburn, Va. native picked up nine yards on the ground.
Wake Forest's defense forced its second-straight Missouri punt as Wake Forest took over at its own 14-yard line with nine minutes left in the quarter.
After a false start penalty backed up Missouri, Ryan Smenda, Jr. and Dion Bergan, Jr. stuffed a Tiger rushing attempt on first down before back-to-back incompletions.
Evan Slocum was credited with a pass breakup on 2nd and 16.
After the Deacs were forced to punt, Will Cobb made a spectacular play, recovering a muffed Missouri return to give Wake Forest the ball back in its own territory with 6:53 remaining. The Tigers intercepted a Demon Deacon pass attempt in the end zone to get the ball back less than two minutes later.
Missouri found the end zone for the first time of the contest thanks to a one-yard touchdown pass, trimming Wake Forest's lead to 14-10 late in the second quarter.
Wake Forest went into the half with a four-point lead (14-10) after the defense contained Missouri on its final offensive possession of the opening 30 minutes.
A four-yard touchdown run on 3rd and goal gave Missouri its first lead of the game (17-14) with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter.
Wake Forest immediately answered with a touchdown of their own as Hartman connected with Banks on a 48-yard touchdown through the air. The extra point was unsuccessful as the Deacs led 20-17 with 4:29 remaining in the game.
The Deacs defense forced its second three-and-out of the game on Missouri's next offensive possession. Evan Slocum broke up a pass attempt on fourth down to give the Deacs the ball back as Wake Forest held onto its three-point (20-17) advantage after three quarters of play.
For the second-straight possession, a Demon Deacon defender made an outstanding play on fourth down as Caelen Carson smothered a Missouri receiver on a deep pass down the sideline.
The Deacs regained possession with 5:55 left after another tough defensive stand by Wake Forest, highlighted by a Tyler Williams sack and a Dylan Hazen defensive stop on 3rd down.
Hartman and Morin connected for the duo's second touchdown of the night, increasing Wake Forest's lead to 27-17 with 2:33 remaining in the game.
Wake Forest ran off 3:22 off the game clock on the drive as Ellison rushed the ball four times and Hartman scampered for a 15-yard rush on 1st and 10.
Wake Forest's defense came up big again on Missouri's next possession as Kobie Turner and Rondell Bothroyd notched sacks on back-to-back plays to force a 4th and 33.
The Deacs got the ball back with 1:00 remaining and ran out the clock to secure the 27-17 victory.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Head coach Dave Clawson's five bowl victories, which is the most in school history, now ranks tied for fifth in ACC history for postseason wins. Clawson ranks behind Bobby Bowden (Florida State, 11), Dabor Swinney (Clemson, 11), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech, 6) and Danny Ford (Clemson, 6). Meanwhile, he is now tied with Jimbo Fisher (Florida State, 5) and Ralph Friedgen (Maryland, 5).
Clawson has now won 149 games as a head coach and he is the only active Power 5 head coach (entering bowl season) in the country to win double-digit games in a single season at four different Division I institutions.
STANDOUT STATS
The Deacs have set a new standard for success in the win column with a record of 19-8 over the last two seasons. The 19 wins in a two-year period are the second most in school history and three away from the program record of 21 set in 2006 & 2007. Additionally, Wake Forest's 19-8 record is the 10th-best mark in all of Power-5 in the last two seasons:
Wins in Last Two Seasons as of Dec. 4 (Power-5) Aside from Wake Forest:
1. Georgia (27-1)
2. Michigan (25-2)
4. Alabama (23-4)
3. Ohio State (22-3)
5. Clemson (21-5)
6. Utah (20-7)
T7. Oklahoma State (19-7)
T7. Oregon (19-7)
T7. Pitt (19-7)
10. Wake Forest (19-8)
T11. Baylor (18-8)
T11. Kansas St. (18-8)
T11. Ole Miss (18-7)
Wake Forest's 1,367 points scored during the 2020-22 period is the highest-scoring three-year period in Deacon history. Additionally, Wake Forest has scored 1,043 points over the last two seasons combined and their scoring average of 38.6 points per game ranks sixth during that time. The Deacs are the only ACC school with 1,000 points and lead the ACC in points per game this season:
Rank Team GP TP PPG
1. Ohio State 25 1,128 45.1
2. Georgia 28 1,088 38.9
3. Alabama 27 1,087 40.3
4. W. Kentucky 27 1,085 40.2
5. Tennessee 25 1,079 43.2
6. Wake Forest 26 1,043 38.6
7. Utah 27 1,026 38.0
8. Michigan 27 1,022 37.9
9. UTSA 27 1,019 37.7
All totals aside from Wake Forest are as of Dec. 4.
A key to the Deacs scoring success has been the numbers that they have put up through the air in the last two seasons. Wake Forest is one of six schools to throw for more than 8,000 yards in that time and nearly 600 yards more than any other ACC team:
Rank Team GP Passing Yards
1. WKU 27 10,479
2. Miss. State 25 8,690
3. Ohio State 25 8,482
4. Alabama 27 8,412
5. Purdue 26 8,354
6. Wake Forest 27 8,0358
All totals aside from Wake Forest are as of Dec. 4.
Additionally, the Demon Deacons have found the endzone through the air 21 more times than any other ACC team since the start of the 2021 season and their 82 passing touchdowns are the third most in the country:
Rank Team GP Passing TDs
1. WKU 27 101
2. Ohio State 25 84
3. Wake Forest 26 82
4. Alabama 27 80
5. SMU 24 73
All totals aside from Wake Forest are as of Dec. 4.
The 43 passing touchdowns as a team this season are the most in the country and has helped propel the Demon Deacons to the highest-scoring offense in the ACC:
Season Total Points Points per game
2022 469 36.1
2021 574* 41.0*
2020 324 36.0
2019 414 31.8
2018 427 32.8
2017 459 35.3
* Wake Forest program record
FROM COACH CLAWSON
"I am just really proud of our whole program. From the players and the staff, this was just a really good team win. I think we probably played some of our best defense of the year tonight as we got a pass rush and we covered. There were so many games this year that were like that in the fourth quarter, and unfortunately we did not win as many of those as we would like. However, to be able to finish tonight and win that game in the fourth quarter is a big deal. It is always great to win a bowl championship, add a trophy to the trophy case and to get rings for our players. It will be a great memory. Also, I just want to thank our players and staff for their hard work and dedication all year. So many times when you see things not going a team's way, they kind of give up or stop working. We never did that. Again, we were 6-1 and No. 10 in the country and then we lost some close games. But our guys never stopped working, they never stopped preparing and they never stopped believing in each other. We always played hard. I think tonight was just a great example that we were a football team that finished. The fact that we did not have a bunch of guys opt-out. Bowls are important, and so are bowl championships. I want to thank our band, our cheer squad, our students and the fans that came down to Tampa to support the Deacs. And, I really want to thank all of the people with the Gasparilla Bowl. This is a great bowl. They do a great job. We're honored they invited us and we're very proud to be the Gasparilla Bowl Champions."
2022 SEASON RECAP
Awards:
Wake Forest had 12 student-athletes earn All-ACC honors.
Quartet of Demon Deacons Garnered CSC 2022 Academic All-District Honors.
Sam Hartman Wins ACC Brian Piccolo Award.
Stats & Recaps:
All recaps and box scores from the season are located on this page.
2022 Season Stats are here.
Senior Day on Nov. 19 at Truist Field:
Wake Forest Athletics honored 22 football players, 15 members of the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black, 15 Deacs from the Spirit Squads and six student staffers last Saturday evening at Truist Field. Several football student-athletes that were honored on Saturday have remaining eligibility and following this season will assess the potential of returning for the 2023 season in the coming weeks.
Dec. 21, 2022: Early National Signing Day
Wake Forest set to add 19 high school prospects for the 2023 season.
2022 Team and Individual Notes:
Wake Forest has won eight games in a season for just the 10th time in the 115-year history of the program.
Four of the 10 eight-win seasons have come in the Dave Clawson era (40 percent).
Friday's Gasparilla Bowl victory over Missouri marked Wake Forest's first ever win over Missouri as this was the first matchup between the two schools.
Additionally, the Deacs moved to 3-0 against SEC opponents in the Clawson era.
With the win over Missouri on Friday and a victory in Week 2 at Vanderbilt, Wake Forest defeated two programs from the Southeastern Conference this fall for the first time since 2008, and just the second time in program history the Deacs accomplished this feat in a single season.
Sam Hartman was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.
Hartman earned his second-straight bowl game MVP honor, as he garnered the accolade following his standout performance against Rutgers in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in 2021.
Hartman is the first player in program history to earn two bowl game MVPs in their career at Wake Forest.
The 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl marked Wake Forest's seventh-straight bowl appearance, a new school record.
Additionally, the Demon Deacons' streak is the second-longest active streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the 12th longest in the nation.
Overall, Wake Forest holds a 11-6 all-time in bowl games.
Since the start of the 2016 season, the Deacs are tied for the second-most wins in the ACC not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season entering bowl season:
Clemson -- 73
Wake Forest -- 49
Pitt - 45
NC State- 45
Miami- 43
Additionally over the last five years, the Deacs have the second-most wins in a single five-year period:
38 (2017-21)
37 (2018-22)
36 (2004-08 & 2006-10)
34 (2016-20)
33 (2015-19)
31 (1944-48)
After scoring 44 points in Week 1 vs. VMI, 45 points in Week 2 at Vanderbilt, 37 points in Week 3 vs. Liberty, 45 points in Week 4 vs. Clemson, 31 points in Week 5 at Florida State, 45 points in Week 6 vs. Army, 43 points in Week 8 vs. Boston College, 21 points in Week 9 vs. Louisville, 21 points in week 10 vs. NC State, 34 points in week 11 vs. North Carolina, 45 points in week 12 vs. Syracuse, 31 points in week 13 vs. Duke and 27 points in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, Wake Forest's 469 total points ranks second in program history.
1. 2021 574 points
2. 2022: 469 points
3. 2017 459 points
Wake Forest finished the 2022 season averaging 36.1 points per game, helping the Deacs post its sixth consecutive season of averaging 30 or more points a game. This is the longest active streak and the fourth longest in ACC history.
Entering the 2022 season, Wake Forest is the only program in the Atlantic Coast Conference to average at least 30.0 per game in each of the last five seasons. This is tied for the fourth longest streak in ACC history:
12 - Florida State (1992-03)
10 - Clemson (2011-20)
8 - Florida State (2008-16)
6 - Wake Forest (2017-22)
5 - North Carolina (2012-16)
Wake Forest has now thrown for 43 touchdowns as a team this season. The program record was set last season with 39 passing touchdowns.
Individual Notes:
Sam Hartman:
Here is a feature from Jen Lada and ESPN that details how his offseason medical condition was discovered and Sam Hartman's inspiring road to recovery.
This piece aired on Nov. 19, 2022.
Sam Hartman has completed 270-of-428 passes (63.1%) for 3,701 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Sam Hartman completed 23-of-36 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns on Friday. This marked Hartman's 34th-straight game with a touchdown, the longest active streak in the nation.
Hartman broke the Wake Forest all-time passing mark against Liberty, eclipsing Riley Skinner (2006-09) with a five-yard pass to Ke'Shawn Williams in the third quarter. With 280 yards today against Missouri, he has now thrown for 12,967 career passing yards.
Sam Hartman (2018-present), 12,967
Riley Skinner (2006-09), 9,762
Tanner Price (2010-13), 8,899
John Wolford (2014-17), 8,794
Brian Kuklick (1994-98), 8,017
Hartman is the 41st player in NCAA history and just the third passer in the history of the ACC to eclipse the 12,000-yard passing barrier for his career, joining elite company. Last week, Hartman passed Kenny Pickett and is remains second in ACC history in this category:
1. Philip Rivers, NC State (2000-03) 13,484
2. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest (2018-Pres.) 12,967
3. Kenny Pickett, Pitt (2017-21) 12,303
4. Tajh Boyd, Clemson (2010-13) 11,904
5. Ryan Finley, NC State (2014-18) 10,501
6. Sam Howell, North Carolina (2019-21) 10,283
7. Deshaun Watson, Clemson (2014-16) 10,168
8. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (2018-20) 10,098
9. Thaddeus Lewis, Duke (2006-09) 10,065
10. Brad Kaaya, Miami (2014-16) 9,968
With his five-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Morin in the first quarter on Friday, Hartman passed Tajh Boyd (Clemson, 107) for the most career touchdown passes in ACC history.
Overall, with three touchdowns on Friday, Hartman has thrown 110 touchdowns over the course of his collegiate career.
1. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest (2018-Present) – 110
Tajh Boyd, Clemson (2010-13) – 107
3. Philip Rivers, NC State (2000-03) – 95
4. Sam Howell, North Carolina (2019-21) – 92
5. Deshaun Watson, Clemson (2014-16) – 90
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (2018-20) – 90
7. Kenny Pickett, Pitt (2017-21) – 81
8. Chris Weinke, Florida State (1997-00) – 79
9. Russell Wilson, NC State (2008-10) – 76
He was just the 26th QB in FBS history to cross over the 100 touchdown mark for his career.
With 110 career passing touchdowns and 17 career rushing scores, Hartman's 127 total touchdowns are the second most in conference history:
1. Tajh Boyd, Clemson (2010-13) – 133
2 Sam Hartman, Wake Forest (2018-Present) – 127
3. Malik Cunningham, Louisville (2018-Pres.) – 119
Lamar Jackson, Louisville (2015-17) – 119
5. Deshaun Watson, Clemson (2014-16) – 116
6. Philip Rivers, NC State (2000-03) – 113
7. Sam Howell, North Carolina (2019-21) – 111
8. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (2018-20) – 108
9. Kenny Pickett, Pitt (2017-21) – 102
10. Marquise Williams, North Carolina (2012-15) – 99
With one touchdown catch on Saturday, redshirt junior wide receiver A.T. Perry has recorded 28 career touchdown receptions, the most by a Demon Deacon wideout in program history.
Wake Forest Career Receiving Touchdowns
1. A.T. Perry (2018-Present), 28
2. Ricky Proehl (1986-89), 25
3. Todd Dixon (1990-93), 22
4. Cam Serigne (2014-17), 21
Red O'Quinn (1946-49), 21
Chris Givens (2009-11), 21
6. Desmond Clark (1995-98), 20
8. Kenny Duckett (1978-81), 19
9. Greg Dortch (2017-18), 17
Jaquarii Roberson (2017-21), 17
Sam Hartman and A.T. Perry finished their Wake Forest careers as one of the top QB-WR duos in conference history. The pair has combined for 27 touchdowns, which is tied for the second most in ACC history.
1. Torry Holt & Jamie Barnette, 28
2. Sammy Watkins & Tajh Boyd, 27
AT Perry & Sam Hartman, 27
4. Tee Higgins & Trevor Lawrence, 25
5. Nuk Hopkins & Tajh Boyd, 24
Calvin Johnson & Reggie Ball, 24
Perry also moved into the top 10 in program history in career receptions and is tied for the most in the Dave Clawson era by a wide receiver:
Career Receptions
1. Michael Campanaro (2010-13) 229
2. Desmond Clark (1995-98) 216
3. Ricky Proehl (1986-89) 188
4. Jammie Deese (1996-99) 184
5, Cam Serigne (2014-17) 174
6. AT Perry (2018-pres.) 171
7. Chris Givens (2009-11) 163
8. Thabiti Davis (1994-97) 161
9. James Brim (1983-86) 153
10. John Henry Mills (1988-92) 142
Greg Dortch (2017-18) 142
Additionally, Perry now is the Clawson era receiving yards leader and ranks third in program history in that category:
CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
1. Ricky Proehl (1986-89) 2,949
2. Desmond Clark (1995-98) 2,834
3. AT Perry (2018-Pres.) 2,662
3. Michael Campanaro (2010-13) 2,506
4. Chris Givens (2009-11) 2,473
6. Wayne Baumgardner (1978-81) 2,431
7. Jammie Deese (1996-99) 2,348
8. Todd Dixon (1990-93) 2,300
9. Jaquarii Roberson (2017-21) 2,158
10. Cam Serigne (2014-17) 2,075
11. Jason Anderson (2001-04) 2,066
12. James Brim (1983-86) 2,040
Perry and Donavon Greene have been some of the most explosive receivers in program history:
Career Avg. Per Reception (min. 75 Rec.)
1. Donavon Greene (2019-Pres.) 18.6 (79/1,473)
2. Jason Anderson (2001-04) 18.0 (115/2,066)
3. Wayne Baumgardner (1978-81) 17.24 (141/2,431)
4. Todd Dixon (1990-93) 17.16 (134/2,300)
5. AT Perry (2018-Pres.) 15.9 (171/2,662)
6. Ricky Proehl (1986-89) 15.7 (188/2,949)
Fabian Davis (1999-02) 15.6 (100/1,557)
8. Red O'Quinn (1946-49) 15.28 (124/1,895)
9. Scotty Washington (2016-19) 15.24 (110/1,676)
10. Chris Givens (2009-11) 15.172 (163/2,473)
11. Sage Surratt (2018-19) 14.8 (107/1,582)
12. Jaquarii Roberson (2017-21) 14.8 (146/2,158)
13. Bill Millner (1973-76) 14.37 (75 of 1078)
Ryan Smenda, Jr. inched up on the Wake Forest all-time tackles list on Friday, recording a game-high 11 tackles. This moved him up into eighth on the all-time list and gave the senior sole possession of the most tackles by a Demon Deacon since 2000.
Earlier this season, Smenda, Jr. eclipsed his previous high for tackles in a season.
Coming into the bowl, his 9.6 tackles per game ranked fourth in the ACC.
Wake Forest Top-5 Tackles since 2000
1. Ryan Smenda (2018-Pres) 355
2. Aaron Curry (2005-08) 332
3. Ryan Janvion (2013-16) 328
4. Brandon Chubb (2012-15) 326
5. Jon Abbate (2004-06) 297
6. Marquel Lee (2013-16) 291
Wake Forest Career Tackle Leaders
1. Ed Stetz (1969-71): 460
2. Carlos Bradley (1978-80): 431
3. Kevin Giles (1991-94):410
4. Bill Armstrong (1973-76): 402
5. Kelvin Moses (1994-99): 399
6. Ernie Purnsley (1985-88): 385
7. Reggie McCummings (1983-85): 374
8. Ryan Smenda (2018-Pres): 355
9. Jimmie Simmons (1984-87): 346
10. Aaron Curry (2005-08): 332
11. Ryan Janvion (2013-16): 328
12. Brandon Chubb (2012-15): 326
13. Marc Hester (1977-79): 322
14. Rory Holt (1982-86): 319
Wake Forest went into the season with a veteran bunch of offensive linemen led by starters Je'Vionte Nash, DeVonte Gordon, Sean Maginn, Loic Nya and Michael Jurgens all returning up front.
The Demon Deacons are one of just eight FBS teams to return five starters along the offensive line.
The starting Beef Boy unit has combined to play in 237 games in their career; the most in FBS by nine combined games:
Wake Forest 237
Pitt 226
Georgia State 216
NC State 213
Utah State 205
In the ACC, Wake Forest is also one of the most veteran units returning from a season ago with Green Bay Packer fourth-round selection Zach Tom as the only absence from last season's starting unit:
1 Pitt - 98.6%
2 Louisville - 83.5
3 Wake Forest - 82.9
4 Syracuse - 82
5 NC State - 80.5
UP NEXT
Wake Forest Athletics is excited to raise the standard of success and looking forward to an exciting 2023 season. Season ticket deposits for the 2023 season are available now for $50 per seat. New or existing season ticket holders can visit GoDeacs.com/tickets to make their deposit online or email the Wake Forest Ticket Office at tix@wfu.edu over the holidays.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Sam Hartman's big day capped Wake Forest's best season in 15 years.
Hartman tossed three touchdown passes, two of them to tight end Brandon Chapman, and the No. 17 Demon Deacons beat Rutgers 38-10 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday to reach 11 wins for the second time in program history.
Hartman completed 23 of 39 passes for 304 yards. He added 21 more yards rushing and pushed his touchdown total to 50 this season -- 39 passing and 11 rushing. He was named the winning team's most valuable player.
"It's everything," Hartman said. "I'm just enjoying the moment."
The Demon Deacons (11-3) controlled the game from the start, scoring on their first three drives and opening a double-digit lead just before halftime. It played out about as expected given Rutgers (5-8) was a late replacement for No. 25 Texas A&M.
The Aggies pulled out because of a lack of available players due to injuries, opt-outs, transfers and COVID-19 issues. The NCAA gave Rutgers the first shot at filling the void because it had the highest Academic Progress Rate score of all the eligible 5-7 teams.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano hastily gathered his players from Christmas break and held two practices in a heated bubble before heading south. They got in two more in nearby Ponte Vedra Beach this week before taking the field.
They were ready, willing and probably overmatched against the one of the nation's best offenses. When it was over, Schiano raised his fist and saluted the Rutgers faithful who made the long trip to much warmer weather.
"What we did has never been done before," Schiano said. "This is the hardest week of work that I've ever done as a coach, and I've done it for 34 years. I'll remember everything it took and all the people who made it possible. ... But that was a little bit unhealthy."
The Demon Deacons finished with 452 yards, converted 8 of 15 third downs and their lone fourth-down try. The offensive show carried them to 11 wins for the first time since 2006, which was their only Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
"This was a historical season," Wake coach Dave Clawson said. "We're hopefully part of a debate of what the greatest team is. The 2006 team was an incredible team, but the 2021 was a really good team as well."
THE TAKEAWAY
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons should be among the preseason favorites in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. They could lose as few as six of 22 starters.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights turned the ball over twice, which was twice too many for an offensively challenged team with a small margin for error. Rutgers was 5-0 this season when playing turning-free football.
TURNING POINT
The key play came in the second quarter, when Wake Forest cornerback Gavin Holmes stepped in front of Noah Vedral's pass to Joshua Youngblood at the goal line and intercepted it. Wake led 17-10 at the time and ended up driving for a field goal and a 10-point lead at the break.
Vedral was one of five players who threw passes for Rutgers. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 87 yards and the interception.
DO IT ALL
Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan was all over the field. He lined up at quarterback, running back, tight end and receiver. He completed both passes for 21 yards. He ran six times for 20 yards. And he caught six balls for 57 yards.
"I've been playing football my whole life and it just comes naturally," Langan said.
EJECTED AGAIN
Wake Forest linebacker Ryan Smenda, a junior who grew up in nearby Orange Park, was ejected for the third time this season for targeting. Smenda barely made contact, if at all, this time. He was penalized for intent because he led with his helmet while chasing Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. Wimsatt slid late, and Smenda flew over the top of him.
Smenda also was ejected in regular-season games against Army (Oct. 23) and North Carolina State (Nov. 13). He will have to sit out the first half of Wake's 2022 season opener against Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 1.
KEY INJURIES
Wake Forest punter Ivan Mora was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with an air cast on his right ankle/foot. Mora got caught at the bottom of a pileup after kicking off.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest expects to get Hartman back for a fifth year. He's started 33 games over four seasons and accounted for 87 touchdowns, including 71 passing.
Rutgers says goodbye to nine sixth-year seniors, including seven defenders. The most notable departures are cornerback Tre Avery and defensive tackle Julius Turner.
