Wake Forest got exactly the kind of debut it was hoping for from Gio Lopez, and the redshirt junior quarterback’s first game in a Demon Deacons uniform was strong enough to earn him national recognition.
Lopez was named a Manning Award Star of the Week by the Allstate Sugar Bowl after leading Wake Forest to a 38-16 season-opening win over Akron on Thursday, Sept. 3. He finished 21-of-32 for 350 yards and three touchdowns, and he also chipped in 39 rushing yards.
The performance was packed with landmarks. It was Lopez’s first three-touchdown game since Nov. 23, 2024, and his 350 passing yards were his highest total since he threw for a career-best 432 yards against North Texas on Aug. 31, 2024.
His biggest strike came in the second quarter, when he connected with wide receiver Carlos Hernandez on a 78-yard touchdown - the longest pass of Lopez’s collegiate career. He also found Kam Shanks and Antonio Meeks for scores.
The line put Lopez in rare Wake Forest company. He became the first Demon Deacons quarterback to post 350 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a game since Sam Hartman in 2021, and only the fifth Wake Forest player to do it since 1996. The others: Hartman, John Wolford, Riley Skinner and Jamie Newman.
Wake Forest piled up 559 total yards in the win and has now gone four straight games with more than 300 passing yards, the longest active streak in the nation dating back to last season.
The Manning Award, created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004, recognizes the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes bowl performances in its voting. Each week, the award names a group of Stars of the Week, and fans vote through the award’s social media channels to choose an overall Quarterback of the Week.
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Gio Lopez Gave Wake Forest Fans Hope And One Big Question
Gio Lopezs first game as Wake Forests quarterback gave the Demon Deacons something they had been waiting to see: a passing attack that looked organized, aggressive and capable of stretching a defense. Lopez completed 32 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns, added 39 rushing yards, and handled an offense that mixed empty looks with even a wishbone set to create different kinds of problems for the defense.
For a fan base that has spent plenty of time searching for answers at quarterback, it was an encouraging debut and a clear reason for optimism about what this offense might become. The bigger question is how much of it will carry over when the schedule stiffens, because the opponent on this night was not one of the better teams Wake Forest will face. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]
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 🡒]