Wake Forest gets its first real spotlight game of the season Friday night, and the assignment is as demanding as it gets: No. 5 Miami coming to Winston-Salem for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Allegacy Financial Stadium on ESPN.
The Demon Deacons are walking into this one with some juice after last week’s overtime win at Purdue, a game capped by Gio Lopez’s two-point conversion in West Lafayette. That finish gave Wake Forest a memorable road victory and set the stage for Lopez’s next challenge, which comes against his first ranked opponent since his North Carolina days.
In that game against No. 16 Virginia, he threw for 208 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
Miami, meanwhile, shows up with the kind of profile that usually makes a Friday night showcase feel like a stress test. The Hurricanes are 9-3 all-time against Wake Forest, and they handled the last meeting in 2024, pulling away for a 42-14 win in Miami Gardens after a big second-half surge.
That 2024 matchup turned sharply in the fourth quarter. Wake Forest stayed in it early, but Miami slammed the door by outscoring the Demon Deacons 22-0 in the final period and keeping the offense quiet down the stretch.
There was at least one explosive moment for Wake Forest in that game. Demond Claiborne, now with the Minnesota Vikings, ripped off a 100-yard kickoff return that hit a blazing 22.6 mph and stands as one of the most electric plays in recent program history.
Miami’s offense had its own star turn that day. Cam Ward, now an NFL first-round pick, threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns in a performance that helped push the Hurricanes to a 10-1 record and reinforce their national standing. Ward also has a direct connection to Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert, having played under him at Washington State.
For Wake Forest, the challenge is obvious. Dickert’s team has momentum, confidence and a quarterback who already showed he can handle a pressure-packed moment. Miami brings top-five talent, depth and a track record of finishing games strong.
The Deacons haven’t beaten Miami since 1944, which only adds to the weight of Friday night. But the chance is there: a home field, a national TV stage and a shot to turn last week’s dramatic finish into something that feels bigger than one game.
In Other News...
Ex-Miami Receivers Arrest Puts The Program In A Brutal Spotlight
A former Miami wide receiver is back in the news for all the wrong reasons, and the case has already thrown a harsh spotlight on a program that has spent years trying to move forward from off-field distractions. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, a startling development for a player once part of the Hurricanes receiver room.
Police say the incident began during a dispute at a local park, where Pope allegedly pistol-whipped a woman and took her cellphone by force. He was booked into a correctional facility and held without bond, and a court order would require a GPS ankle monitor if he is ever released, leaving the legal process to unfold while Miami is left watching another former player face a serious and troubling situation. [Read more 🡒]
Former Miami Playmaker Is At Center Of A Disturbing Arrest Case
A former Miami Hurricanes playmaker is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, turning what began as a dispute with an acquaintance into a serious legal case that has quickly drawn attention around the programs fan base.
Police allege Pope pulled a handgun, pistol-whipped the woman and took her cell phone before being booked into a correctional facility. He is being held without bond, and if he is released, a court order requires him to wear a GPS ankle monitor, leaving the next steps in the case to play out in court. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Offense Looks Ready But One Wake Forest Test Still Matters
No. 5 Miami heads to Wake Forest on Friday night with some early momentum and a chance to keep its unbeaten start intact in ACC play. The Hurricanes have handled Stanford and Florida A&M to open 2-0, and the matchup brings an interesting early-season contrast because Wake Forest is also unbeaten after wins over Akron and Purdue.
The offense has looked capable enough to travel, but this is still the sort of road test that can reveal more than a couple of lopsided September results. Predictions around the game lean toward Miami, with attention on key player performances and how the Hurricanes handle a defense that should be more demanding than the first two opponents. [Read more 🡒]