Wake Forest walks into Week 2 with a few real answers already in hand - and a few bigger questions waiting in West Lafayette.
Start with Gio Lopez. The Demon Deacons’ quarterback made a strong first impression in the 38-16 win over Akron, throwing for 350 yards and three touchdowns while completing 21 of 32 passes.
He didn’t turn the ball over, added 39 rushing yards, and gave Wake Forest exactly the kind of dual-threat presence that can stress a defense. Even more encouraging for the Deacons: Lopez piled up 313 passing yards and all three of his touchdown passes in the first half.
Carlos Hernandez was the biggest beneficiary of that fast start. He caught five passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, including a 78-yard score that helped push Wake Forest out to a 28-0 lead.
Antonio Meeks added another chunk-play punch with 93 receiving yards and a 72-yard touchdown, while Kam Shanks chipped in with 55 yards and a touchdown. That kind of spread-the-ball production gives Lopez plenty to work with.
But Akron is one thing. Purdue is another.
The real test for Lopez is whether that Week 1 production travels against Power 4 competition. Wake Forest got a balanced attack against Akron, finishing with 203 rushing yards, so Lopez didn’t have to carry everything on his own. Against stronger defenses, though, he’ll have to stay composed, make good decisions, and avoid the kind of mistakes that can swing a game quickly.
The Deacons also have to get cleaner. They were flagged 11 times for 115 yards against Akron, and seven of those penalties came on offense.
False starts kept showing up, and those pre-snap issues repeatedly put Wake Forest behind the chains or erased positive plays. The Deacons were able to overcome it in a comfortable win, but that margin disappears fast when the competition rises.
On the other side of the ball, Wake Forest’s defense gets a much tougher assignment after allowing 305 total yards to Akron. The Zips split that production pretty evenly, with 156 passing yards and 149 rushing yards, which means the Deacons have work to do against both phases.
Purdue arrives off a much louder offensive showing. In its opener against Indiana State, the Boilermakers rolled up 523 total yards.
Ryan Browne was sharp, going 23 of 29 for 317 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Fame Ijeboi also made an impact on the ground, gaining 87 yards and scoring on just 11 carries.
There were positives for Wake Forest’s defense against Akron. The Demon Deacons finished with seven tackles for loss and two sacks, showing they can create disruption in the backfield. Vincent Firenze and Frank Cusano each had nine tackles, and Firenze added a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
To have a shot at slowing Purdue down, Wake Forest will need to keep the Boilermakers from hitting explosive plays, get them into tougher third-down situations, and take advantage of turnover chances when they come. Pressuring Browne while limiting Ijeboi and the run game would go a long way. If Purdue keeps finding success both through the air and on the ground, Wake Forest’s defense is going to have a long afternoon.
In Other News...
Purdue Fans Still Have One Big Concern Heading Into Wake Forest
Purdues opening win over Indiana State did not exactly move the needle for a fan base still trying to get a read on what this team can be in 2026. A recent poll showed the most common grade for the Week 1 performance was a C, which fits the cautious mood around a program heading into a bigger test against Wake Forest and a betting line that already has people looking ahead to what comes next.
The more telling part is how little the opener changed the conversation. Most fans came away in a holding pattern, still waiting for a performance that sharpens the picture of Purdues season instead of simply getting the schedule started, while a smaller group either soured or brightened on the outlook after one game. Wake Forest gives the Boilermakers a chance to answer some of those lingering questions, but it also has a way of exposing which concerns were real and which ones were just early-season nerves. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Let A Winnable Game Slip Away For One Frustrating Reason
Purdue came out with enough early rhythm to suggest it could control the night against Wake Forest, but the bigger issue quickly became finishing drives. The Boilermakers kept moving the ball, only to settle for field goals far too often, and a missed 49-yard attempt only deepened the sense that a game within reach was slipping through their hands.
Even with the offense fighting back in the second half and Fame Ijeboi providing a major spark, Purdue could never quite close the gap it might have built with a more ruthless red-zone finish. Ijebois production gave the Boilermakers something to lean on, but the frustrating part for Purdue was simpler than any single playcall: too many promising possessions ended with three points instead of seven. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Faces An Early Barry Odom Test That Could Shape September
Purdues non-conference meeting with Wake Forest carries more weight than a typical September tune-up, especially this early in Barry Odoms tenure. The Boilermakers have already spent enough time sorting out their identity, and this is the kind of game that can help clarify whether the progress is real or still in its early stages. For players and coaches alike, it is a chance to show that the program is ready to handle a test that feels bigger than the calendar suggests.
Ryan Browne is among the names drawing attention as Purdue tries to steady itself and build something that lasts beyond one Saturday. A loss would not end the season, but it would leave the Boilermakers searching for answers and trying to avoid an early hole they can ill afford. A win would do more than brighten the record - it would give Odoms group a much better platform heading into the rest of September, with the pressure of proving it can carry this start forward. [Read more 🡒]