12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 7: Miami 2008)

SIX MORE DAYS TIL KICKOFF!

The year was 2008. Last game of the season, but to set the stage for this one, you had to go back a year. Last year, the Pack entered the final game with a chance to get bowl eligible, and they totally laid an egg. Now this year, after a 2-6 start, State had rebounded with three straight over in-state opponents including a 41-10 thrashing of UNC. Now at 5-6, the only thing standing between the Pack and the postseason was 7-4 Miami.

The crowd was cold, but electric as the game started. It couldn't have started any more perfectly for the Pack. A quick 3 and out by Miami, gave NC State the ball after a 61 yard punt on the 4 yard line. First play from scrimmage, Senior Andre Brown showed he wasn't going to be denied on this day. A 15 yard run by Brown carrying tacklers got the ball out of harm's way, and started a 96 yard drive that culminated in a 2 yard pass from Russell Wilson to Brown for the TD. 7-0 Pack!


Another defensive stop by the Pack and the momentum was clearly with the Red & White. But Miami followed with a stop of their own, and on their first play of the next drive, Robert Marve threw a 69 yard TD pass and suddenly we had a ball game. That play seemed to stun the Pack, and on the next drive a halfback pass by Andre Brown was intercepted, which this time led to a long Miami drive that resulted in another TD early in the 2nd quarter, and now Miami led 14-7.

But all it took to get the momentum back was a little Russell Wilson magic. NC State took the ball at the 36 and marched all the way to the Miami 13. However, on first down a bad snap rolled all the way back to the 29, and NC State was looking at 2nd and very long. On the snap, no one was opened, so Russell scrambled to his right, avoided the sack, cut up field, the started to cross the field, angled to the corner of the end zone, picked up a Spencer block, and he was in for the score. It was simply a thing of beauty!


On the next drive, Miami drove into Wolfpack territory, and picked up a first down into the red zone, but on the next pass, Bobby Floyd got the deflection and DeAndre Morgan got the pick to keep it tied at 14.


As the 2nd quarter was winding down, NC State embarked on another long drive, and this time Josh Czajkowski hit a 39 yard field goal and NC State led 17-14 going into halftime.

State had the ball to start the second half and they drove it down the field again, this time with some big plays by Jamelle Eugene. The Pack got all the way to the 3, but ultimately had to settle for another field goal. 20-14 State.


Miami had an answer of their own driving for 64 yards and a TD which put them up 21-20, and put some uneasiness back in the crowd. But it was just meant to be the Pack's day. On the next drive, a 42 yard pass to TJ Graham, was followed up with a 32 yard TD to Owen Spencer and the Pack was back on top. Throw in a 2 point conversion to Eugene, and it was 28-21.


As the 4th quarter began, NC State's ground game continued to pound away at the Miami defense, and with another long drive, the Pack picked up another field goal, and led 31-21 with just 8:57 to play. Miami tried to cut the Pack lead, but with 5:23 Nate Irving came up with the back breaker. An interception of Jacory Harris that was returned 40 yards deep into Miami territory that pretty much sealed the deal. On the next possession, the Pack went with Senior Andre Brown on five straight plays, and he delivered with a 4 yard TD run that was icing on the cake (youtube clip) NC State now led 38-21 with only 2:35 to play.

A late Miami touchdown and offside kick recover with 43 seconds to play kept the suspense going for a few more minutes, but a Jeremy Gray interception officially sealed the deal. As a final tribute, senior Daniel Evans, who had a few spectacular wins of his own in his career, got to take the final kneeldown and the Pack was going bowling! The only business left was to track down Coach O'Brien with the Gatorade bucket.






Game Highlights from youtube here

Today's honorable mention:
2007 NC State over Miami 19-16

Up next tomorrow: Virginia Tech

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 6: Maryland 2005)

One week to go til kick!  Today's entry takes us back to 2005.  NC State and Maryland were on the rise early in the decade, but both didn't go bowling in 2004, and now on November 26th, 2005, both teams had a 5-5 record.  The winner goes bowling, the loser calls it a season.  Winner take all.  Or as I liked to call it, "winner take bowl".

High noon...


The crowd was roaring and it was a defensive struggle right from the start. The Pack held and the Terps did the same to start the game, but on NC State's first punt, it was muffed by Maryland, and Marcus Hudson picked up the fumble.



Already in Maryland territory, the Pack didn't move the ball much, but just enough for Deraney to knock in a 38 yarder and put the Pack up 3-0. A long Maryland drive ate up much of the first quarter, but it resulted in a missed field goal. Meanwhile the Pack offense was sputtering big time. A couple of 3 and outs later, NC State was punting from the 6, giving up great field position. Maryland quickly marched 39 yards for the go ahead touchdown on a one yard run from Lance Ball. 7-3 Terps.

Another 3 and out for State, this time for negative 2 yards, and Maryland was taking the momentum. On the ensuing possession, Maryland was driving again, this time down to the 26, but State held, and Maryland missed another field goal with 1:09 to play. Down 7-3, the Wolfpack was content to run out the clock and go into halftime. The quick moving first half saw Marcus Stone only go 1 of 5 in the passing game, and overall the Wolfpack only gained 39 yards in the entire half.

But this Senior Day wasn't going to be won on the offensive side of the ball. It was going to be won with defense! Senior Marcus Hudson, and Mario Williams who as it turned out was also playing his last game in Carter Finley were about to take over.

On NC State's first possession of the second half, they got the momentum going with a couple of first downs and after a punt had pinned Maryland deep. On 3rd down, Tank Tyler picks up a big sack, leaving Maryland on the 6.



Maryland's punt left NC State on the Terp 49 and it was there that Andre Brown and Toney Baker went to work. Sharing the load, State marched right down the field to earn a first and goal at the 2. Maryland held for three straight plays, but Toney Baker was not to be denied. On 4th down, he plowed in from one yard out and NC State now led 10-7.



The teams traded punts to reach the end of the 3rd quarter, setting the stage for a nerve racking final 15 minutes. With 11:18 to go a long Marcus Stone pass was intercepted, but it may have been a blessing in disguise as it pinned Maryland on their own 11. On first down, Mario Williams starts it off with the sack.



Two plays later, Mario with the pressure again, this time forcing an underthrow. Marcus Hudson steps in front, wrestles the ball away and has nothing but green grass ahead.



28 yards later Marcus had taken it to the house and the Pack was up 17-7. Under 10 minutes to play and Maryland with the ball. 1st down, a 4 yard loss. 2nd down, another sack by Super Mario. Fumble Maryland, and NC State got it.





Maryland held to 4 yards on the next possession, but it was still enough for a John Deraney field goal and the lead grew to 20-7. Maryland now with 6:44 to play finally found their rhythm again. After a couple of first downs, a big Manny Lawson sack put the Terps in 4th and 16. But they converted with a 32 yard pass to JJ Walker. Four plays later, a 15 yard TD pass to Vernon Davis closed the gap to 20-14 and the game was still in doubt.

With 4:21 to play, two Toney Baker runs left the Pack with 3rd and 1. This time Marcus Stone on the keeper for the big first down. Maryland, who was down to 1 timeout just had to let the clock tick. Two more Baker runs, and Maryland uses their last timeout. 1:49 to go. On 3rd and 8, Baker only picks up 5 and Deraney is called on for one last punt. He gets it off cleanly and Maryland only has 39 seconds left for a 75 yard miracle drive. Marcus Hudson has other plans. On first down, Hudson comes up with the pick. His forced turnover of the day. And the Wolfpack finished Senior Day in style, with a big 20-14 win, and earning a trip to a New Year's Eve Bowl in Charlotte!

Youtube highlights: HERE and HERE

Today's Honarable Mention:
1994 NC State over Maryland 47-45

Up next tomorrow: Miami

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 5: UVA 2003)

8 days til kickoff! And today's entry was a really difficult choice. Our win at UVA in 1994 over the 13th ranked Cavaliers was awesome, but it just couldn't top 2003.

It was November 1st, 2003. TA McLendon was coming off a knee surgery, but he was back, and the Pack still had an outside shot at the ACC title. Two of the best QBs in the league were getting ready to match up: Philip Rivers and Matt Schaub. Both would go on to be NFL stars, and on this day neither disappointed.

Early in the first quarter after a Wolfpack punt pinned the Cavs deep. On third down, the snap went over Schaub's head into the end zone and it was recovered by Garland Heath to put NC State up 7-0.



But this would be the first of many scores in this one. UVA answered right back. Going 80 yards on a drive littered with future NFL players. Schaub, Heath Miller, Marques Hagans, Alvin Pearman, and Wali Lundy would all go on to play at least some in the NFL. It was Lundy who caught the 20 yard TD pass from Schaub, and the game was tied 7-7.

A UVA stop and another TD pass to Lundy made it 14-7, but the Wolfpack offense finally started to click. An 80 yard drive capped off with a 34 yard TD pass from Rivers to little used WR Chris Hawkins tied it back up at 14.

The first quarter came to an end tied, but not without UVA on the move again. Into NC State territory they went, kicking a field goal to retake the lead. Rivers with 80 more yards, finishing with a 33 TD to a more familiar target, Jerricho Cotchery.



A missed extra point had the potential to loom large, leaving the Pack up 20-17. Schaub seized the momentum again with passes of 63 and 17 yards to move ahead 24-20. Two Wolfpack fumbles slowed the momentum, but late in the half, NC State marched from their own 9 to the UVA 7, but with time running out, the Pack had to kick a field goal on the last play of the half, and went to the locker room trailing 24-23.

Early in the third, UVA had first and goal, but the NC State defense finally started to stiffen, holding the Cavs to a field goal.



As day had turned into night, NC State took the ball on their own 25. In one play, River to TJ Williams for 75 yards put the Pack back on top. The play was immortalized on the "Moon over Murphy" print that was popular at the time.



A sustained drive by UVA stalled deep in Pack territory again, and the Cavs settled for another field goal. This one tying the game at 30 and setting the stage for an epic 4th quarter.

Another big drive by the Pack, highlighted by a 45 yard swing pass to McLendon was capped by a 3 yard TD pass from Rivers to Chance Moyer.



The pressure was now on Schaub, who calmly marched the Cavs down the field inside the 10. The Wolfpack held on 3rd down, but Al Groh, went for it on 4th down. A misdirection screen to Walli Lundy who waltzed in untouched for his third TD. Tied again 37-37.

With time running down, NC State was forced to punt and gave the ball to UVA with just three minutes to go. If there was any time for a stop, now was the time. Pat Thomas on 2nd down came in for a huge 8 yard sack, and UVA was forced to punt two plays later. Now the stage was set. 1:47 to go and the Pack 68 yards from the end zone. A huge third down pass to Reggie Davis moved the chains. 19 more yards to Brian Clark and the Pack was close to field goal range. But that's not the way this one would end. With 31 seconds left, NC State on the 38. Handoff to McLendon. Through the hole, he bounces off two tacklers...and he's in the clear! 38 yards for the score. Carter Finley is rocking!





44-37 Pack! Schaub with little time left, desperately tries to bring the Cavs back, but on second down, Victor Stephens with the pick, and he races to the end zone for the icing on the cake. The party was on and the Pack wins 51-37.

Here are some highlights on youtube of the game

Today's honorable mention:
1994 NC State over #13 Virginia 30-27
2007 NC State over #15 Virginia 29-24

Next up tomorrow: Maryland

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 4: Georgia Tech 2000)

Just 9 short days til football season! And time for another edition of the 12 days of Wolfpack football. Today's entry is Georgia Tech.

The year was 2000. New coach, new uniforms, new quarterback. The legend of Philip Rivers was officially born on September 2nd with a double overtime win over Arkansas State, and it grew with an incredible road comeback at Indiana the following week. My favorite line at the time came from Chuck Amato after the game: "The kid is officially potty trained."

But this was the first big test. Thursday night. ESPN. First conference game against Georgia Tech, who was 2-1 having barely lost to #2 FSU 12 days earlier. In the first half, it didn't look good. Georgia Tech broke through in the first quarter with a 31 yard touchdown run to go up 7-0. Meanwhile, on offense, the Pack struggled to move the ball. Rivers only had 87 yards passing in the first half and was sacked multiple times. (He would go on to get sacked 7 times in the game) The second quarter wasn't much better as Georgia Tech connected on long field goals of 50 and 43 to go into halftime up 13-0.

The game began to turn in the third quarter when the teams combined for three turnovers in five plays. First, Levar Fisher recovered a fumble at the GT 43. Then after a Rivers interception, Fisher forced another fumble on the Tech 1, which was scooped up for a score by JJ Washington. Tech's lead had been trimmed to 13-7.


Less than six minutes later, the Pack had the ball at midfield. Another Georgia Tech blitz, and they had Philip wrapped up for the sack....

But he escaped...


And hit Koren Robinson streaking over the middle. Robinson would race 48 yards for the score, and the game was tied. A missed extra point left the score at 13-13. Georgia Tech regrouped and late in the third quarter, another Manget field goal put the Jackets back in front 16-13.

Early in the fourth quarter, Koren Robinson was back at it. This time hooking up with Rivers for a 6 yard touchdown that put NC State up for the first time 20-16.


Georgia Tech then marched down the field, deep in Wolfpack territory, where Terrence Holt picked off George Godsey and raced up the sideline 34 yards.


The Tech defense held, and the Pack settled for a 34 yard Kent Passingham field goal to make it 23-16 with under five minutes to go. Never a team to make things easy, NC State allowed Georgia Tech to take the kickoff 50 yards, and the Jackets marched it down inside the ten. On fourth down, and the Jackets down to the last attempt with 1:20 to play, Godsey connected with Kerry Watkins for a 7 yard TD pass, and the game was tied. This one is going to overtime!

NC State got the ball first and gained seven yards on first down. On 2nd down, Rivers audibled to the fade pass, and lofted a pass to Koren Robinson in the corner of the end zone for a 23 yard TD pass and the go ahead score!


On Tech's possession, they reached the five and had fourth down again. This time, the Pack defense held, and NC State was 4-0! The celebration was on as the goal posts came down and the students took them right off the field!






Today's honorable mention:
1991 NC State over Georgia Tech 28-21
2005 NC State over Georgia Tech 17-14
2010 NC State over Georgia Tech 45-28

Up next tomorrow: UVA

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 3: Duke 1994)

Only 10 days to go! And today's entry is from 1994.

Many of you familiar with Duke football in the last 20 years probably won't believe it, but on this day in November 1994, Duke entered the game at 8-1, ranked 18th in the country. Meanwhile, NC State was 6-2 and still in the ACC Championship race. There have been some great games in the series, but this one combined a great game with major implications.

The crowd was revved up from the start, but Duke took the opening possession down inside the 10, and settled for a field goal to lead 3-0. NC State countered with a long drive of their own, driving for a 13 yard touchdown by Rod Brown and a 7-3 lead.



After another Wolfpack stop, the first major turning point of the game was created by the Duke defense. Terry Harvey was hit while trying to make an option pitch. The fumble was picked up by Duke and they rumbled 21 yard to put the Devils up 10-7. From there, Duke seized control. A partial blocked punt on the next possession gave Duke a short field. Duke quickly put themselves in scoring position, and hit a wide open Corey Thomas in the end zone to put Duke up 17-7. Duke kept the pressure on, forcing another Harvey fumble and converting that into another field goal. State had a drive late in the first half, but that too was ended by a turnover, this time a Terry Harvey interception, and the teams went to the locker room with Duke holding on to a 20-7 lead.

The second half didn't look any better as Duke got two more defensive stops sandwiching another field goal and Duke led 23-7. The Devils had 9-1 in their sights, and the Pack had their backs against the wall. And it was there on their own 8 yard line that the game began to change in the last three minutes of the third quarter. On third down, Terry Harvey heaved a long one to Adrian Hill who caught it in stride and raced 82 yards to the Duke 10. Three plays later a touchdown pass to Hill cut the Duke lead to 23-14.



Now in the 4th quarter, after a Wolfpack stop, Harvey was going long again. This time a 53 yarder to Greg Addis and the Pack was in range again. Duke held State out of the end zone, but a Steve Videtich field goal cut the lead to 23-17 with 10:29 to go.

Duke's offense was held again. This time on a big 3rd down and 9 play that only went for 7 yard. Duke was forced to punt, and the Pack was set up with 8 minutes to go.

State advance it to the Duke 48, and set up with 3 wide receiver. Duke showed blitz and sent eight guys after Harvey, but the Pack fooled them with the hand off to Rod Brown. Brown burst through the line and had no one in front of him. He sprinted 43 yards before being caught by a Duke safety at the 5.

Three plays later, State had third and goal at the Duke 2, and on a designed roll out Harvery hit Mike Guffie in the corner of the end zone for the go ahead score. NC State leads 24-23.



Duke had one last chance, and drove the ball down to the NC State 28. A big holding penalty pushed the Devils back and on 4th and 15, they attempted a 51 yard field goal. The ball went wide right, and Duke had no timeouts left. NC State ran out the last two minutes and the Pack had the win. As the clock clicked to zero, the students stormed the field and took down the goal posts. The Pack would go on to finish the year 9-3 with a final ranking of #17 after a Peach Bowl victory!

And as great as this recap was, the only way to really do this game justice is to check out the highlights still up on WRAL

and the highlight package from a coach show clip called "Carter Finley Classics"

Honorable mention:
1991 over Duke 32-31

Up next tomorrow: Georgia Tech

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 2: Wake 2004)

11 days to go! Today's entry is our best win against Wake. Today's winner is 2004.

At the start of October in 2004, the Pack was still trying to find it's way in the post-Rivers era. But coming off a dramatic last second win over Virginia Tech, the Pack was 1-0 in the league and ready to face Wake Forest. Wake was still finding it's way in the Jim Grobe era, and was still two years away from winning the ACC, but on this day, they gave everything the Pack could handle.


Marcus Stone was the starter at QB, coming off of his manage the game win at Virginia Tech the week earlier, but the Wolfpack offense went nowhere in the first half. Late in the first quarter, Stone (who would go 3 for 7, and only 15 yards) did complete one, but it was to Wake Forest's Marcus McGurder who returned it 22 yards for the game's opening score. Following another 3 and out, Wake marched down the field again for another score. Wake now led 14-0 and the restless crowd was feeling uneasy.

A decent Wolfpack drive ended in a Deraney missed 41 yard field goal, and the Pack went to the half trailing Wake 14-0.

Enter Jay Davis. The fourth year junior had waited his turn behind Philip Rivers, and entered the season as the starter. But after struggles against Ohio State and early against Virginia Tech, he was benched in Blacksburg. But coming out of the locker room, it was his turn to put on Superman's cape. He took over for Marcus Stone, and on the first possession hit Sterling Hicks on a 57 yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 14-7.



The NC State defense, who had completely shut down Virginia Tech the week before for three and a half quarters, forced a quick 3 and out, with a negative 6 yard possession, and after Wake's short punt was returned to the Wake 40, NC State had the momentum. But the story of this Wolfpack era seemed to crop up again, as two negative rushing plays were sandwiched by a holding penalty and a delay of game. NC State faced a 3rd and 32. But not to be stopped, Davis hit Tramain Hall over the middle who raced through the Wake defense for 58 yards to the three. One TA McLendon rush later the Pack was in the end zone and the game was tied at 14-14.


Following another 3 and out, the Pack marched quickly down the field. 66 yards later, Bobby Washington punched in a 2 yard run, and NC State had it's first lead at 21-14.



In the fourth quarter, Wake was able to stabilize, and drove the field 80 yards in 10 plays, all run plays, and tied the game at 21-21. On the ensuing possession, the Wolfpack drove all the way to the 6 yard line, but on fourth down from the 10, the normally reliable John Deraney missed a 27 yard field goal with under 3 minutes to play. Both teams had one more chance, but didn't threaten, and this baby was going to overtime.



NC State won the toss and went on defense first. Three plays later, on 4th and 2, Wake attempted a field goal which banged off the post. NC State ball, and any score would win. The answer....TA McClendon. An 11 yard run, a 4 yard run, and a 2 yard run, left the Pack with 3rd and 4 on the Wake 8. Would Amato kick? No, one more hand off to McClendon. TA plowed through the middle, breaking tackles all the way to the end zone. TOUCHDOWN WOLFPACK! And NC State wins 27-21.






Today's Honorable Mention:
2008 NC State over Wake Forest 21-17
1982 NC State over Wake 30-0 (honorable because of this old video I unearthed from wral)

Next up tomorrow: Duke

12 Days of Wolfpack Football (Day 1: Syracuse 1997)

It's like Christmas waiting for the start of the season, so time to celebrate with the 12 days of Wolfpack Football. Last year, I described the "best" win of each of the last 12 years. This year, I'm going with the "best" win against each conference opponent, and the best non-conference win. Please note that based on my age, my first real connection with Wolfpack football started with the Sheridan era, so all the picks start from 1985. If you have some wins that you'd like to list on the day that team comes up, feel free!

First up: Best non-conference win
It's hard to top Notre Dame in 2002, but since I did that one last year, and because the actual game wasn't that close, I'm going with something different.


The year was 1997. The Pack was coming off of back to back 3-8 seasons and not much was expected in 97 either. Our first opponent....at Syracuse. Syracuse was home to Heisman candidate Donovan McNabb. They were ranked #13, and were coming off of a 34-0 beatdown of Wisconsin in the Kickoff Classic. It wasn't expected to be much of a game in the Carrier Dome, but what a game it was.

The game started off in the worst possible way. On the first play from scrimmage, McNabb to Spotwood, 67 yards and a touchdown.

After NC State was quickly stopped on their first drive, Syracuse began driving again. This time, the NC State defense held, but a fumbled punt return set up Syracuse in the red zone, and they quickly scored again to go up 14-0.

The Syracuse sideline was feeling good, but little did they know this was the year of the team rubber bands. All the Pack players were wearing them on their wrists signifying unity and strength in numbers. We were going to need it.

However, sophomore Jamie Barnette was poised beyond his years, and he led the Pack down the field to at least get on the board, pushing the score to 14-3. After another Wolfpack stop, Barnette hooked up with Torry Holt on a 37 yard TD pass, and the Pack was back in business. Torry Holt was a junior, and certainly a returning star, but this national TV game really put him on the map, and was a springboard to two of the best years an NC State receiver has ever had.

A late Syracuse field goal pushed the score to 17-10 going into halftime. Certainly a good spot after the disastrous start..

A relatively uneventful 3rd quarter, led to an NC State 3rd down and 9 on the Syracuse 19 with 25 seconds left in the quarter. Barnette dropped back and found Holt again. Touchdown Wolfpack! And the game is tied!


Midway through the 4th quarter, Syracuse struck back with a 72 yard punt return by Spotwood. 24-17 'Cuse. And the drama was just beginning.

On the next drive, Barnette converts an important third down at midfield to Mark Thomas (Yes, the radio guy) with 7:47 left. Now, 3rd and 5 at the 35....5:50 to go. Barnette again, this time to Tremayne Stephens down the sideline. FIRST AND GOAL NC STATE. Two plays later....Third down again from the 9. Barnette scrambles, hits Mark Thomas over the middle. TOUCHDOWN. Tied again at 24-24.

Now with just four minutes to go Syracuse began the drive for a winning score. On a 2nd and 21, McNabb hits Spotwood on a 52 yard pass to the 6 yard line. 1:07 to play. Only 2 timeouts left for the Pack. This baby is going to be over. Three kneeldowns and a field goal should do it. 1st down run for Syracuse gains a couple with the clock ticking. 2nd down, Mcnabb straight ahead gains 2 more. NC State timeout with 30 seconds to play. Can Syracuse punch it in, or will they kneel down and take the field goal?

Handoff to a freshman. He reaches for the goal line....is it a touchdown? Wait, NC State is running to the right....WITH THE BALL....Syracuse has fumbled at the 1 and we have the ball! Unbelieveable! 20 seconds to go and time to run out the clock. Poor game management by Pasqualoni (and we'll see it again). We're going to overtime!

Syracuse gets the ball first, and on a 3rd and 3 from the 18 McNabb with the TD pass to put Syracuse up 31-24. Now it's our turn. A pass to Thomas, and then a pass to Holt. First down. A 1 yard run and an incomplete pass, and now it's 3rd and 9 at the 12. Syracuse on the blitz. Barnette with the scramble...all the way to the 2..First and goal. Option keeper down to the 1. 2nd and goal. Hand off to Tremayne Stephens. Touchdown Pack!



We're going to double overtime....wait, we're going for two? we're going for two! Pasqualoni desperately tries to call time out, but noone sees him. Holt, over the middle, Barnette waits, passes to Holt. GOT IT! WOLFPACK WINS! The Pack storms the field, and the crowd is silent except for a couple thousand red State fans in the corner. NC State with the upset 32-31!

Next up tomorrow: Best win over our conference opening opponent Wake Forest

Today's honorable mention:
2002 Gator Bowl over Notre Dame
1999 over Texas
1995 Peach Bowl over Mississippi State
1992 Kickoff Classic over Iowa
1986 over South Carolina with video
1967 over Houston (probably the real winner if someone knows this game and wants to recap it)