In the Deacons ' first BCS bowl game they went to the Orange Bowl to play the No. 6 Louisville Cardinals , winners of the Big East . The Deacons took an early lead with a field goal , however the Cardinals answered with their own field goal and a touchdown in the first quarter to take a 10 – 3 lead to halftime . In the third quarter , Skinner tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass and took a three-point lead in the fourth after a 36-yard field goal . The lead did n't last too long , as the Cardinals scored a quick touchdown and another one later in the quarter . With the scores the Cardinals took a 24 – 13 win . Even with the loss , the Deacons finished their best season in school history
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2006 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team