Wake Forest squeaks past Kennesaw State in debut of coaches

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th August, 22:37 2025

NCAA Football: Florida State at Wake Forest

Sep 30, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; A closeup view of a Wake Forest Demon Deacons helmet during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images

Transfer quarterback Robby Ashford threw for 218 yards and scored Wake Forest's only touchdown as the Demon Deacons survived for a 10-9 victory against visiting Kennesaw State in coach Jake Dickert's debut with the team Friday night at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Dickert, who departed Washington State in December after Dave Clawson left his coaching post with the Demon Deacons, had to rely on his team's defense.

Kennesaw State had a late possession, taking over at its own 16 with 2:07 remaining following a Wake Forest punt. That possession lasted four plays, gaining only one yard. That allowed Wake Forest to run out the clock with kneel-downs because the Owls had no timeouts remaining.

It also was the Kennesaw State debut for coach Jerry Mack.

Wake Forest held a 10-9 lead entering the fourth quarter after Connor Calvert's 22-yard field goal.

Running back Demond Claiborne, who figured to be the workhorse for Wake Forest's offense, suffered an injury to his midsection in the first quarter and was finished in the second quarter. He had four carries for 19 yards.

Ashford was 20-for-28 in the air.

Coleman Bennett rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown for the Owls. Quarterback Dexter Williams III was 12-for-33 for 149 yards, with Gabriel Benyard's 103 receiving yards coming on five catches.

Kennesaw State had 307 yards of total offense compared to Wake Forest's 348.

Ashford scored the game's first points on a 5-yard scramble to cap a 14-play, 75-yard drive that opened the game and consumed more than seven minutes.

Kennesaw State needed only 10 plays to go 75 yards on its first possession, with Bennett running 19 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick was off the mark.

The Owls had a chance to go ahead in the second quarter, but Britton Williams missed a 36-yard field goal attempt at the end of an 11-play drive that covered 73 yards.

Wake Forest tried a 54-yard field goal at the end of the half, but Connor Calvert's attempt was blocked by Adam Watkins.

Kennesaw State had a lead for the first time on Daniel Kinney's 29-yard field goal early in the third quarter.

--Field Level Media

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