Looking back: Wake Forest 2005

The first two Wake games were tough losses. The karma swung back around last year as Matt Ryan sparked a brilliant comeback when everything seemed loss.

Set up
BC came into the game emotionally drained. The week before during the Virginia game, Kiwi received one of the worst cheap shots I’ve seen in college sport. Fired up by the fight, the team went on to steamroll UVA. It didn’t seem like much was left in the tank for the Deacs. Add the month-long monsoon and it is no surprise that they came out flat.

Wake entered the game at 2-4 and seemed like less of a threat for an upset than their previous two squads.

What Happened?
BC played sloppy from the get go. Porter fumbled early giving Wake great field position and an easy touchdown. Every time the team dug out of its hole, something bad would happen – dropped pass, blocked punt, etc. The fall guy was Porter. The Maine Man was pressing and looked terrible. He threw three picks before getting pulled late in the fourth.

I thought TOB pulled Porter just to stop the bleeding. Little did anyone know that Matt Ryan was going to try to win the game. The Super Soph came out slinging it and seemed oblivious to the rain, the clock or the pressure. He quickly hooked up with Gonzo for a TD. The defense made a huge stand giving BC one last possession. Ryan, poised as ever, chucked a few more beauties before connecting with Challenger (Challenger made a great over the shoulder catch and got his feet inbounds).

This game made up for the two painful losses. I still smile thinking about it.

Long-term implications
This was really the end of Quinton Porter. Unfortunately TOB didn’t make it official until two more losses. It also confirmed Matt Ryan’s rep for having ice in his veins.