Wake Forest keeps dream season alive

Wake Forest Coach Jim Grobe had tried all week to keep everyone calm as the Demon Deacons prepared to play one of the biggest games in school history.

But as students tried to tear down the goal posts and his players hooted and hollered in the locker room, Grobe finally loosened up.

“It’s time to dream a little bit,” Grobe said.

Kevin Marion had an 81-yard touchdown run and Patrick Ghee intercepted a pass in the end zone with under a minute left Saturday night as No. 22 Wake Forest held off No. 16 Boston College, 21-14.

Jyles Tucker had two sacks and forced a key fourth-quarter fumble and the Demon Deacons limited the Eagles (7-2, 3-2) to 28 yards rushing to move to 8-1 for the first time since 1944, tying a school record for victories in a season. At 4-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest is in a first-place tie with Maryland in the Atlantic Division.

“I don’t think too many people seriously thought this was a possibility tonight,” Grobe said. “They thought the party was going to be over tonight. But the Deacs move on. It’s fun.”

Matt Ryan set career highs by completing 40 of 57 passes for 402 yards and a touchdown, but had two interceptions -- both in the end zone -- for mistake-prone Boston College.

Boston College was also called for 10 penalties for 70 yards. Wake Forest was flagged only three times.