A 15-point-fourth-quarter lead and the game weren’t the only things Wake Forest lost in their season opener against Syracuse Thursday night.
With the Demon Deacons holding a 26-14 lead just a couple of minutes into the fourth quarter, starting quarterback Tanner Price suffered an injured left knee while completing a pass that was ultimately nullified due to a penalty. Price spent the remainder of what would become a 36-29 loss on the sidelines with ice wrapped around the injured joint.
“I tried to get back in there,” said Price, who had his helmet on and was running on the sideline in hopes of returning. “The doctors said I’d be all right, but the coaches said it’s a long season and there’s no point in further hurting yourself.”
The extent of the injury and how much playing time it may or may not cost Price is uncertain. Price, who started nine games a year ago as a true freshman, passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns before being injured.
Coincidence or not, the Orange took advantage of Tanner’s absence by scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns -- and a two-point conversion -- to tie the game, then won it in overtime on a four-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Nassib to Van Chew.