WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest freshman linebacker Joey Ehrmann was brief in his comments when he spoke.

“We blew this one,” Ehrmann said. “That’s about all I can say.”

What the Demon Deacons blew was a prime opportunity to upset No. 18 Miami, squandering a 17-0 cushion and a 27-14 third-quarter lead as the Hurricanes escaped 28-27 on Jacory Harris’ 13-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin with 1:03 remaining to play.

The Deacons might have suffered a bigger loss than the defeat that dropped them to 4-5, 2-3 in the ACC. Senior quarterback Riley Skinner suffered what coach Jim Grobe said was a concussion while scrambling for a first down at the Wake 29 with 6:37 left while the Deacs were trying to nurse a 27-21 lead.

The lick broke Skinner’s face mask. Skinner made it back to the huddle, then dropped to one knee. He went to the sidelines and was woozy enough that he couldn’t get clearance to return and finish an outstanding performance in which he guided the Deacons to four scores on their first five possessions of the game. Skinner threw for 349 yards and touchdowns of 3 and 44 yards and ran 7 yards for another. Grobe was unsure of Skinner’s status for next week’s game at Georgia Tech.

Grobe turned to little-used senior quarterback Ryan McManus to secure the victory. The Deacs got one first down and appeared to have another when it was negated by a late holding call that ultimately forced a punt.

Miami took over with 2:51 to play. They converted a fourth-and-15 at their 42 on a pass from Harris to Aldarius Johnson at the Deacon 30. From there, the Hurricanes needed just two more plays to score. Matt Bosher’s extra point provided the margin of victory as Miami improved to 6-2, 3-2.

Wake drove to the Miami 43 in the closing seconds. Grobe called for Jimmy Newman to attempt a 60-yard field goal that fell well short. Newman also missed a 45-yarder but made tries from 23 and 42.

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