Wake Forest holds on to beat Liberty 20-17

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Redshirt freshman Deandre Martin scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run as Wake Forest came from behind to defeat Liberty 20-17 Saturday.

On a rain-soaked evening, the Demon Deacons had all they could handle with Liberty, a Football Championship Subdivision foe with 65 scholarship players.

The Flames led 14-7 late in the third quarter when Wake Forest safety A.J. Marshall stepped in front of a Brian Hudson pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown to help turn the tide.

On Wake Forest's next possession, Martin capped a nine-play, 60-yard drive by racing around right end to give the Demon Deacons their first lead at 20-14 with 13:24 remaining. Martin ran for 74 yards after taking over in the first quarter when starting running back Josh Harris left with a concussion and did not return.

Hudson threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns for Liberty.

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe had concerns over his offensive line after replacing four starters from last season - and that inexperience showed.

The Demon Deacons looked out of sync in the early going, failing to register a first down on their first three possessions. Even when they did finally move the chains late in the first quarter it looked ugly as quarterback Tanner Price had to scramble for a 4-yard gain on third-and-4 on a busted play.

Wake Forest had 42 total yards midway through the second quarter and trailed 7-0 until Price found his favorite target Michael Campanaro down the middle for a 31-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. Campanaro had 96 yards on nine catches.

Liberty outgained Wake Forest 178-145 in the first half and had a chance to take a 10-7 lead entering the locker room but John Lunsford's 49-yard field goal sailed wide right as time expired.

That miss would come back to haunt the Flames.

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Wake Forest holds on to beat Liberty 20-17