The University of Virginia Cavaliers outlasted the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a wild shoot-out in Winston-Salem, 34-27, scoring the final touchdown on a 72-yard bomb from Peter Lalich to Maurice Covington with 21 seconds left. The Cavaliers denied the Deacons' last-ditch effort to score in the closing seconds, as linebacker Antonio Appleby sacked quarterback Riley Skinner, forcing a fumble that was recovered by All-American linebacker Cliff Sintim.

The game started off slowly with Wake providing the only offense in the first quarter on a Sam Swank field goal. The Cavaliers' offense awakened in the second quarter, as they added two touchdowns and two field goals. UVA's Cedric Pearman scampered for a 74-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-14 with just 24 seconds remaining in the half, giving UVA a 20-3 lead.

But Wake answered quickly, as Skinner connected with Chip Brinkman for a 60 yard touchdown down the left sideline in the closing seconds of the half. Hunter Haynes forced a fumble on the kickoff to start the second half, and Wake's Kerry Major recovered the ball at the UVA 25 yard line. Kevin Harris then pounded in a 15-yard touchdown run. Wake then retook the lead on an option keeper by Skinner late in the 3rd.

Turnovers and big plays in the fourth quarter doomed the Deacons. UVA's Jon Copper picked off a Skinner pass and ran it back 59 yards to give the Cavaliers a 27-24 lead early in the 4th. Skinner threw another interception on the next series, and after forcing a three-and-out, Brinkman muffed a punt. UVA, however, made a controversial decision to go on 4th-and-5 from the 35 and failed to convert. The Deacons marched downfield, and Swank hit a 40-yard field goal with 38 seconds left.

Following the kickoff, UVA picked up a quick first down on a slant to Covington. On the following play, cornerback Channing Schofield wrapped up Lalich, but failed to bring him down. Lalich threw a deep bomb to Covington. Although cornerback Alphonso Smith tipped the ball, Covington pulled it down, and ran untouched to the end zone for a game-winning 72-yard score.