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

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