Vanderbilt-Wake Forest score, highlights from Week 2 college football game

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Vanderbilt football sputtered from the start, had to wait through its second weather delay in three weeks and was playing from behind throughout in its 36-20 loss against Wake Forest on Saturday.

This could be the swing game that determines whether the Commodores achieve their preseason goal of making a bowl game. Last season, Vanderbilt (2-1) lost to Wake Forest (2-0) and still was in contention for the postseason until the very end.

Vanderbilt-Wake Forest score, highlights from 2023 game

FINAL SCORE: Wake Forest 36, Vanderbilt 20

Fourth quarter

Wake Forest 36, Vanderbilt 20: Another Dennis FG

Matthew Dennis' third field goal of the day all but seals it for Wake Forrest with 2:24 remaining.

Wake Forest 33, Vanderbilt 20: AJ Swann connects with London Humphreys

Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann was under duress when he floated a pass into double coverage.

He could not have thrown it better, hitting London Humphreys in stride to cut the deficit with 9:08 remaining. Swann's 2-point conversion attempt was intercepted.

Wake Forest 33, Vanderbilt 14: Bust in secondary extends deficit

Mitch Griffis floated a 24-yard TD pass to Ke'Shawn Williams, who streaked wide open past Vanderbilt defenders before making the catch with 11:39 left in fourth quarter. The 2-point conversation attempt failed.

Third quarter

Wake Forest 27, Vanderbilt 14: Matthew Dennis 44-yard FG

Dennis' field goal extended Wake Forest's lead but kept the Commodores within two touchdowns.

Second quarter

Wake Forest 24, Vanderbilt 14: Will Sheppard fumble leads to score

Vanderbilt's defense did its job on third down, but fumble by Will Sheppard on the punt return was returned for a touchdown with 50 seconds remaining in the half. Deflating, to say the least.

Wake Forest 17, Vanderbilt 14: AJ Swann to Will Sheppard (again)

Make it 28 points in the second quarter, this time via a 10-yard TD pass from AJ Swann to Will Sheppard with 1:42 remaining.

Wake Forest 17, Vanderbilt 7: Tate Carney 1-yard TD run

Tate Carney's 1-yard TD with 6:41 left made it 21 points scored in the second quarter between the two teams.

Wake Forest 10, Vanderbilt 7: Will Shepard's incredible TD

Another jump ball touchdown, this time for Vanderbilt.

The play was upheld on replay, showing Sheppard's elbow and backside were inbounds with 10:03 to play in the second.

Wake Forest 10, Vanderbilt 0: Mitch Griffis 7-yard TD pass to Jahmal Banks

Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jahmal Banks with 12:55 left in second quarter.

Banks made an incredible catch for the touchdown, falling toward the sideline on a jump ball.

First quarter

Wake Forest 3, Vanderbilt 0: Deacons kick field goal after weather delay

Matthew Dennis' 25-yard field goal put Wake Forrest ahead after the weather delay, which lasted more than 90 minutes.

The kick came after AJ Swann's interception on Vanderbilt's opening possession before the delay.

Game delayed by lightning after AJ Swann interception

AJ Swann's deep pass was intercepted on Vanderbilt's first possession.

Wake Forest took over near the Vanderbilt 10-yard line before nearby lightning put the game in a weather delay.

Any lightning strike within 8 miles of the stadium triggers a 30-minute delay.

MORE ON THE SLOW MESH How Vanderbilt football can stop Wake Forest's slow mesh offense and why it's such a big challenge

Vanderbilt football: Game time, TV channel, betting odds today vs. Wake Forest

KICKOFF: 10 a.m. CT

TV: ACC Network

BETTING ODDS: Wake Forest by 10

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt-Wake Forest score, highlights Week 2 college football game