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2008 EagleBank Bowl - Riley Skinner of Wake Forest Redeems Himself in 29-19 Comeback Over Navy

By Ed Bagley

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Published: 28Dec2008
Word count: 420
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Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

The happiest guy at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC Saturday (12-20-08) was Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner, who managed the perfect comeback.

In early September Skinner had a horrific game against Navy on his home turf, throwing 4 interceptions and fumbling once as the Midshipmen pulled off a 24-17 upset. The exact opposite happened Saturday as Skinner went 11-for-11 and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Ben Wooster in the 4th quarter to lead his Demon Deacons to a 29-19 comeback victory over Navy in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl.

"He obviously didn't have his best game the first time around," said Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. "Today in the rematch, I don't know if he could have played any better." Well said, Jimbo.

Skinner's perfect day passing broke the 33-year-old school record for accuracy set by Mike McGlamry in 1975. Skinner finished with 166 passing yards and added a completion on a conversion attempt.

Skinner, a junior, helped make his 16 senior teammates the winningest class in school history as they finished their careers with a 32-19 record, 3 bowl appearances and the 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.

Navy's Rashawn King picked up a fumble and rambled 50 yards for a score to help the Midshipmen jump out to an early 13-0 lead. Skinner, however, was not to be denied this time around. He marched Wake Forest down the field to score in the final minute of the first half and then did it again to open the second half, putting the Demon Deacons up 14-13.

Navy scored again in the 4th quarter to regain the lead, 19-14, after a 2-point conversion pass failed.

Skinner then went to work on an 80-yard drive ending in the TD pass to Wooster, and adding a successful 2-point conversion to Devon Brown in the back of the end zone, making it 22-19 Wake Forest. Rich Belton put the frosting on the cake with a 36-yard TD run with 54 seconds left.

Wake Forest came up with some run support as Kevin Harris rushed for 136 yards and Josh Adams scored the Demon Deacons' first 2 TDs on the ground. Senior cornerback Alphonso Smith set an ACC record with his 21st career interception, but his fumble while making a rare appearance on offense allowed Rashawn King to run it back for Navy's first touchdown.

Both teams finished the season at 8-5.

Read my other detailed, knowledgeable articles on college football, including: "Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season" "How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss" "The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them" Find my Blog at: http://www.edbagleyblog.com http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

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