WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Connor Calvert barely made a 50-yard field goal on the final play to give Wake Forest a 13-12 win over SMU on Saturday, sending the Mustangs to their first loss in Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season play.
The Mustangs had won 20 straight regular-season conference games, the longest then-active such streak in the nation. SMU won its last nine in the American Athletic Conference and its first 11 after joining the Atlantic Coast Conference last season.
SMU players and coaches stayed on the field, demanding a review of the ruling of a successful field goal.
After an SMU punt, Wake Forest used a 25-yard pass from Deshawn Purdie to Kamrean Johnson to move into Mustangs’ territory and then spiked the ball before the final snap.
Purdie threw for 183 yards. Demond Claiborne rushed for 73 yards as the Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2 ACC).
Kevin Jennings threw for 171 yards on 21-for-39 passing for SMU (5-3, 3-1).
There were eight turnovers, two missed field goals, a blocked extra-point kick and 17 punts.
Wake Forest’s fourth-down gamble at its own 41 in the third quarter resulted in an incomplete pass. Six plays later, SMU’s Shaadie Clayton-Johnson scored the team’s only touchdown on a 6-yard run for a 12-10 lead before the extra-point kick was blocked.
Wake Forest took another risk but converted on fourth down from its own 45 with about nine minutes remaining.
Through three possessions, Wake Forest had minus-4 yards of total offense and a 3-0 lead. Connor Calvert’s 25-yard field goal came following a 9-yard SMU punt.
The Demon Deacons took over in the second quarter at the SMU following Gabe Kirschke’s sack that resulted in Jennings’ fumble. Two players later, Ashford threw 12 yards to Eni Falayi for a touchdown.
The teams combined for a punt and four turnovers in the final minute of the first half, none resulting in points. Wake Forest led 10-6 at the break.
The Takeaway
SMU: The Mustangs, whose only other ACC loss came against Clemson in the conference championship game last season, have proven that they belong at highest level of college football. It doesn’t get any easier for SMU, which hosts No. 9 Miami next Saturday.
Wake Forest: The outcome marked the second one-point victory at home this season for the Demon Deacons. Purdie made his second start in a row in place of Ashford, who had missed time with an injury and entered later in the first quarter. Ashford was 4-of-10 passing for 33 yards and a touchdown, a 12-yarder to Eni Falayi.
Up Next
SMU: Saturday at home vs. Miami
Wake Forest: Saturday at Florida State
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Bob Sutton, The Associated Press
