Connor Calvert’s 50-yard field goal barely cleared the crossbar as time expired, giving Wake Forest an improbable 13-12 Homecoming win over SMU on Saturday in ACC football action.
The Deacons appeared finished after fumbling at the SMU 5-yard line with less than two minutes remaining—their second red-zone turnover of the game and the eighth combined giveaway of the night. But Wake’s defense used its final two timeouts and forced a punt, setting up one last miracle opportunity.
With 12 seconds left, quarterback Deshawn Purdie hit Kamrean Johnson for 25 yards to the SMU 33. Calvert then drilled the 50-yarder as time expired to hand the Mustangs their first regular-season ACC loss since joining the league in 2024. SMU had won 11 straight conference games and 20 consecutive regular-season conference contests overall dating back to 2023 when the Mustangs were part of the American Athletic.
AND A HAPPY HOMECOMING TO ALL 🎩 pic.twitter.com/x8mWm81Qsn — Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 25, 2025
Wake’s other points came on Calvert’s 25-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Robby Ashford to Eni Falayi in the second. SMU took a 12-10 lead late in the third quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, but Wake’s blocked extra-point attempt ultimately loomed large.
Nick Andersen led the defense with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Demond Claiborne rushed for 73 yards. Purdie finished 14-of-26 for 183 yards but with two interceptions; Ashford went 4-of-10 for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Under first-year coach Jake Dickert, Wake Forest improved to 5-2 (2-2 ACC)—the best start among our state’s new FBS head coaches. The Deacs have now won two games by a single point this season. Up next: a road trip to Florida State before closing ACC play against Virginia, North Carolina and Duke.
