Third-string QB Santino Marucci throws late TD pass as Wake Forest tops Pittsburgh 21-17
Posted October 21, 2023 7:42 p.m. EDT
Winston-Salem, N.C. — Wake Forest third-string quarterback Santino Marucci threw 15 yards to Cameron Hite with 7 seconds remaining to cap a dizzying turn of events in a 21-17 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The teams combined for three touchdowns in the last 3:02, with Wake Forest (4-3, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapping a three-game losing streak.
Marucci’s winning pass connected with Hite in the middle of the field as the tight end dove into the end zone.
Christian Veilleux snapped out of Pittsburgh’s offensive doldrums by throwing 22 yards to Bub Means for a touchdown with 1:30 remaining.
Pittsburgh (2-5, 1-3) needed two more defensive stops with the Demon Deacons moving into Panthers’ territory – and only got one. M.J. Devonshire’s interception halted the first of those possessions.
Wake Forest got another chance when Veilleux appeared to pick up a clinching first down on a third-down run. But it was ruled he began his slide before the yard-to-reach mark. A punt followed, and the Demon Deacons went 48 yards on six plays with just one time-out.
Marucci was 12-for-21 passing for 151 yards with two interceptions. Demond Claiborne gained 96 yards on 14 carries.
Veilleux completed 28 of 45 passes for 302 yards. C’Bo Flemister rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries.
Claiborne ran 42 yards for a touchdown with 3:02 left to cap Wake Forest’s 89-yard drive.
Claiborne’s second touchdown run of the game completed a six-play possession.
Marucci, a redshirt sophomore, made his debut as Wake Forest’s starting quarterback. The Demon Deacons had only 125 yards of total offense through three quarters, but finished with 323.
Wake Forest quarterbacks Mitch Griffis, who started the first six games, and Michael Kern were out with injuries.
This was a rematch of the 2021 ACC championship game. The Panthers were trying to follow up an upset of then-No. 14 Louisville a week earlier.
Ben Sauls kicked a 41-yard field goal with 13:03 left to give the Panthers a 10-7 edge. Pittsburgh’s go-ahead field goal came at the end of a 43-yard drive following Phillip O’Brien Jr.’s interception.
On Wake Forest’s next possession, the Demon Deacons reached the Panthers’ 32, but gave the ball back when coming up short on a fourth-and-2 run.
Veilleux threw 7 yards to Kenny Johnson for the first points to cap the game’s opening possession.
Wake Forest pulled even with 1:32 left in the first half, going 55 yards in two plays – aided by a 15-yard penalty – and scoring on Claiborne’s 18-yard run.
FOOTNOTES
Pittsburgh lost for the first time in three all-time meetings, all of those contested in North Carolina. … The outcome was crucial for both teams in terms of potential bowl eligibility. They each still have remaining games against nationally-ranked Florida State, Notre Dame and Duke.
THE TAKEAWAY
Pittsburgh: The Panthers had scored at least 21 points in five of their previous six games, but the offense was largely a struggle in this one. The two touchdown drives totaled 150 yards.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons had to rely on defense with the team failing to reach the 17-point mark in their previous three games and then breaking in a new quarterback. It worked out with the sudden burst of late-game offense.
UP NEXT
Pittsburgh: Saturday at No. 15 Notre Dame
Wake Forest: Saturday at home vs. No. 4 Florida State.
