STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Hank Bachmeier threw three touchdown passes, Matthew Dennis hit a tiebreaking 23-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining and Wake Forest beat Stanford 27-24 on Saturday in the first cross-country conference trip for the Demon Deacons.
Nick Anderson sealed the win for Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) when he intercepted a pass from Ashton Daniels with 22 seconds left and Stanford (2-6, 1-4) in range for a potential long field goal that could have tied the game.
The Cardinal lost their fifth straight game and are winless at home against FBS opponents in two seasons under coach Troy Taylor. Stanford has lost 12 straight home games overall against FBS opponents.
Bachmeier picked apart a banged-up Stanford secondary early by throwing three TD passes in the first half, including a 30-yarder to Micah Mays Jr. and a 39-yarder to Tate Carney.
He finished with 245 yards passing but struggled for most of the second half. He did lead the game-winning drive that was set up by a 36-yard punt return by Taylor Morin that gave Wake Forest the ball at midfield.
The Demon Deacons won their third straight road game to move a step closer to bowl eligibility.
Stanford travels to face NC State next week in Raleigh.