Michigan State began their regular season 4–1, then lost five in a row (four of the losses were to ranked teams) before finishing with two wins.
The Spartans scored ten unanswered points, first on a Matt Coghlin field goal and then on a 15-yard interception return by Mike Panasiuk, to take the lead, 10–7.
The Demon Deacons regained the lead on a second quarter touchdown pass from Newman to Donovan Greene, making the score 14–10.
Newman then threw his third TD pass, this time to Jack Freudenthal, putting Wake Forest up 21–17.
This proved to be the final score, as the Spartan defense held Wake Forest scoreless in the second half.