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Wake Forest senior kicker Sam Swank strained his right quadriceps in practice earlier in the week and was listed as “questionable” entering Thursday night's game. Before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, he came out for pregame warm-ups dressed in full uniform and tested the strength of his leg.
Wake's coaching staff made a game-time decision to replace Swank with redshirt freshman Shane Popham in the lineup. He assumed all kicking duties.
Popham, who received a full scholarship in January after joining the team as a walk-on, attempted the first field goal of his career early in the first quarter. What appeared to be a botched snap or hold made the task impossible and his 25-yard attempt was no good.
Two possessions later, Popham capped a 62-yard Wake drive with a 22-yard field goal. His first converted field goal gave the Deacs a 3-0 lead.
Wake junior quarterback Riley Skinner rushed for a career-high 55 yards in the first half, faking and spinning and sliding his way up the field.
Skinner was all over the place. He even lined up as a receiver in the first half. On a specially designed play, Wake redshirt freshman Jordan Williams attempted a pass to the QB in the second quarter. Covered in the end zone, he could not pull down the long pass.
