Wake Forest Magazine, March 2007 - Past Issues - Wake Forest ...

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More than 18,000 fans followed the Deacons to Miami and cheered to the very end.passed behind center in motion. “I wasscared,’’ senior tackle Steve Vallos said.Micah Andrews, a junior heir apparentto graduated Chris Barclay (WakeForest’s all-time leader in rushingyards, touchdowns, and points scored)was lost for the season with a tornknee ligament suffered in the thirdgame against Connecticut. The injuryset in motion a game of musical chairsthat eventually, in the ninth week ofthe season, resulted in receiver KennethMoore being moved to tailback.Over Grobe’s first five years atWake Forest, the Deacons never averagedless than 197.5 rushing yards agame. His greatest team, the greatestin school history, averaged 149.But Skinner proved to be betterthan anyone could have imagined,good enough to actually lead the ACCin passing efficiency, be honored asthe ACC Rookie of the Year, and benamed second-team All-ACC despitenot being on the ballot. He didn’t wingames by himself, nor did he losethem. Of the 260 passes he threw, 171were caught by teammates and fivewere intercepted.The Deacons defined synergy—thewhole being greater than the sum ofthe parts. That was especially true ona defense led by linebackers Jon Abbateand Aaron Curry, senior safeties JoshGattis and Patrick Ghee, cornerback10 WAKE FOREST MAGAZINE
The death of the younger brother of juniorlinebacker Jon Abbate (at right) inspiredthe Deacons throughout the year and ledfans to hold up five fingers at the end of thethird quarter of every game, a tribute toLuke Abbate, who wore number five on hishigh school football team. Abbate, seniorsafety Josh Gattis (far right), and their defensive teammatesturned in solid performances week after week.Riley Swanson, and defensive endsJyles Tucker and Jeremy Thompson.A stout defense and reliable kickercan win games in football, and in SamSwank, the Deacons had the best kickerin the ACC.Those paying strict attention couldtell early that something special washappening at Wake Forest. ChipVaughn, playing only because starterGattis had been hurt, blocked a chipshotfield goal and the Deacons survivedweak sister Duke, 14–13. Swankkicked field goals of 51, 53, and 53yards and the Deacons beat N.C.State 25–23. Abbate intercepteda last-gasp pass in the end zoneand the Deacons beat NorthCarolina 24–17.After Kevin Marion raced 81 yardson a fake reverse to help carry WakeForest past 16th-ranked Boston Collegeto a 21–14 victory, Grobe said itwas perhaps time to start dreaming.But few, even in their wildest dreams,could anticipate the next week’s 30–0rout of Florida State in Tallahassee.The shutout was Bobby Bowden’s firstat home in his thirty-one seasons asthe Seminoles head coach.“It seems like a dream,’’ cornerbackAlphonso Smith said afterward. “Whocould have ever imagined? Even thoughyou might say you imagined it, youdidn’t imagine that we were going tocome in here and win 30–0. You didn’timagine that.’’MARCH 2007 11
Page 1 and 2: M a r c h 2 0 0 7DreamSEASONThe Qua
Page 3 and 4: 14 Rhodes RunBy David FytenThe dram
Page 5 and 6: Discovery: Atala’s team makeshist
Page 7 and 8: Phillipsgender studies program in 1
Page 9 and 10: true for Wake Forest football and i
Page 11: ©BRIAN WESTERHOLTconference teams.
Page 15 and 16: One journalist called it “Wakesto
Page 17 and 18: MARCH 2007 15
Page 19 and 20: Meet the RhodesWake Forest’s ten
Page 21 and 22: ROB JUDGESRhodes Scholar” in term
Page 23 and 24: owned jointly by the “Commoners o
Page 25 and 26: an awful lot over the years,” Bar
Page 27 and 28: A great runIn academics and athleti
Page 29 and 30: P R O F I L EThe Hermit in the Wait
Page 31: Louisville, Kentucky, and has beena
Page 51: Sign of the TimesANGIE HUFFMAN EVAT

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