2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

The team was coached by Jim Grobe, in his fifth season at the school, and played its home games at Groves Stadium (now known as BB&T Field).

The team and its star linebacker Jon Abbate would become the subject of a 2011 feature film, The 5th Quarter.

Billings was touted as having 23-years of experience at the college football level, including a six-year stint as head coach of Southeast Missouri State.

The team added eight players on offense, six on defense and a kicker,[9] however before the season began, tight end recruit, Dennis Godfrey, decided not to enroll to the school.

For the first half, every time the Deacons scored, like quarterback Ben Mauk's 14-yard pass to Willie Idlette, the Orange answered.

The Blue Devils kicked another field goal, this one of 39-yards to take a 13–7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Hernandez was able to bring the Huskies back and tied the game later in the quarter on a 6-yard pass, but Micah Andrews' 6-yard run for a touchdown gave the Deacons a lead they would never relinquish.

In the second quarter, Lou Allen's 15-yard touchdown brought the Huskies within one after a missed extra point, to have the half end with the Deacons ahead 14–13.

Skinner threw for 218 yards including a 59-yard touchdown that gave the Deacons a 27–7 lead at halftime.

On the first play of the fourth quarter a fumble on the Deacons' 35-yard line was returned by Gaines Adams for a touchdown.

However, after Swank kicked a 53-yard field goal, the Deacon defense forced a safety with a minute left in the half.

With a touchdown with five minutes remaining, the Wolfpack brought the score within two points, however failed on the two-point conversion attempt.

After holding the Deacons, the Wolfpack moved to the 40-yard line before a pass intercepted by Josh Gattis ended the game.

In the second quarter, after another touchdown by the Deacons, the Tar Heels once again answered and the teams were tied 14–14 at the half.

Down by a touchdown, the Tar Heels drove to scoring range, however, an errant pass on the final play of the game was intercepted by Jon Abbate to seal the win for the Deacons, 24–17.

On the Eagles' next drive, quarterback Matt Ryan threw an interception in the endzone that ended their scoring chance.

On the Deacons first play of the second half, after holding the Eagles on a fourth down attempt, Kevin Marion ran for an 81-yard touchdown.

On their last chance in the game, after converting a fourth down, Ryan threw a second interception in the endzone to Patrick Ghee, to seal the win for the Deacons, 21–14.

With a final score of 30–0, the Deacons won a school record ninth game in the season.

After losing ACC-leading rusher Branden Ore in the first quarter, the Hokies didn't score again until after the half.

The Deacons visited the Maryland Terrapins for their final game of the regular season and with a chance to win the ACC Atlantic Division.

The Deacons then scored two touchdowns, including a 49-yard pass from Skinner to Willie Idlette to take the lead.

In the fourth, both teams scored short touchdowns, but the early lead was enough for the Deacons who won 38–24.

In the third quarter, Skinner tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass and took a three-point lead in the fourth after a 36-yard field goal.

[33] Along with Grobe's honor, Riley Skinner was singled out by the media and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year.

Zac Selmon was named as a Wuerffel Trophy finalist,[36] Sam Swank was named as a semifinalist for both the Lou Groza Award and the Ray Guy Award,[37] and Grobe was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.

[45] Also named by Sports Illustrated were Steve Vallos also on the first team and Jon Abbate and Josh Gattis as honorable mentions.

Mauk, who had to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery on his injured throwing arm,[19] graduated and then left to pursue a master's degree.