Gio Lopez’s first outing as a Demon Deacon came with plenty to like, and Wake Forest made sure he got the chance to show it right away. Coach Dickert opened things up early, leaning into the pass far more than the program has in recent seasons, when the Deacs were built around the run and a stout defense.
That shift showed up in the way Wake Forest moved around on offense. The Demon Deacons used multiple sets to keep the Zips off balance, and two looks stood out in particular.
One was the empty formation, something Wake Forest rarely used with Ashford under center. With Lopez at the controls, Dickert gave him room to survey the field, work through reads, escape pressure, and deliver big throws.
The other was the “wishbone.” In that set, two halfbacks line up on either side of the quarterback, and with several threats available plus strong protection, Wake Forest looked dangerous whenever Lopez spotted a receiver deep.
The numbers backed up the eye test. Lopez finished with 350 passing yards on 32 attempts, added three passing touchdowns, and ran for 39 yards.
He also connected on two throws that went for more than 70 yards and a touchdown. For a Wake Forest quarterback, that kind of production is hard to compare to much of anything the program has seen in years.
Still, the opponent matters. This wasn’t a Big Four team, and that has to stay part of the evaluation. Even so, a good read is a good read, and Wake Forest now has a real shot at another bowl game if Lopez keeps playing like he did on Thursday.
So the first report card comes out strong: an A. That said, there’s still room for growth.
Lopez could do a better job trusting his backfield on the option, which would help free up Ty Clark III to show what he can do. Cleaning up his progressions would also take his game up another level.
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Wake Forest Offense Gets A Needed Boost Before Purdue
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Richards comeback matters just as much up front, where Wake Forest can use a steadier look in the trenches. He is slated to reclaim his spot at left guard, which lets Ryan Berger slide back to his natural right side and gives the Deacons a cleaner alignment heading into a game where every small detail up front can matter. [Read more 🡒]
Gio Lopez Just Changed The Feel Around Wake Forests Offense
Wake Forest spent the first week of the season looking for a clear offensive pulse, and Gio Lopez gave it one in the opener against Akron. The redshirt junior quarterback earned Manning Award Star of the Week honors after completing 21 of 32 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 39 rushing yards in a performance that gave the Demon Deacons a much different feel through the air.
Lopezs day included a 78-yard touchdown pass and, just as notably, a clean sheet in the turnover column. He became the first Wake Forest quarterback since 2021 to throw for 350 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a game, the kind of line that can reshape how a defense prepares for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forest Has One Early Problem Fans Should Not Ignore
Wake Forest opened its season with a win over Akron and enough signs of early progress to feel good about the first step. The offense avoided turnovers, the team looked cleaner than it did in last years opener, and the overall result gave Dave Clawsons group a chance to build some momentum before the schedule stiffens.
Still, the sloppier parts were hard to miss. Wake Forest was flagged 11 times for 115 yards, a total that already topped its penalty yardage from all of last season, and Clawson made it clear the film will need a serious look before the Demon Deacons get to tougher tests like Miami and Louisville. Purdue is next, which gives Wake Forest another chance to tighten the details before the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]