MacPherson Goes Out Throwing

For his last game at Wake Forest, James MacPherson was grateful that the game plan called for a bit more passing than usual.

MacPherson completed nine of 16 passes for a season-high 241 yards and two touchdowns, and the normally grounded Demon Deacons defeated Oregon, 38-17, Monday in the Seattle Bowl.

“Going into the game, I knew there were going to be opportunities to throw a couple of deep passes on them, and maybe score a few touchdowns,” the senior said. “Luckily, we were able to do that.”

MacPherson, who also ran for a touchdown, connected with Jason Anderson on touchdown passes of 57 and 63 yards, helping Wake Forest (7-6) finish with a winning record for the second consecutive year. The Demon Deacons last had consecutive winning seasons in 1987 and 1988.

“I couldn’t ask for a better game to finish out my career here at Wake Forest,” MacPherson said.

The Ducks (7-6) started 6-0 and were ranked as high as No. 6, but they weren’t the same without quarterback Joey Harrington, a 2001 Heisman finalist now with the Detroit Lions. The team lost five of its last six a year after finishing 11-1 and winning the Fiesta Bowl.

Before the Seattle Bowl, Wake Forest was ranked eighth in the nation in rushing, averaging 239.9 yards. The Demon Deacons ran for 256 against yards against Oregon, even with their early emphasis on passing.

Oregon starter Jason Fife completed only one of seven passes for four yards before he was replaced late in the first quarter by redshirt freshman Kellen Clemens, who completed 19 of 31 passes for 161 yards.

Oregon tailback Onterrio Smith, who sat out three of the last four games because of a knee injury that required surgery in late November, had 62 yards in 18 carries.

Wake Forest defensive end Calvin Pace remained one sack short of the school record of 30 set by Mike McCrary.