Wake Forest’s comeback win at Purdue had the kind of finish that can turn a quarterback into the headline in a hurry, and Gio Lopez made sure it did.
The redshirt junior was named Week 2 ACC Quarterback of the Week on Monday after powering the Demon Deacons to a 38-36 double-overtime victory Saturday, their first road win of the season. Lopez finished with three total touchdowns, including two on the ground and one through the air, while piling up 225 passing yards and a team-high 59 rushing yards.
His biggest plays came when the game was hanging in the balance. In double overtime, Lopez tied it with a three-yard keeper, then followed that by rushing in the game-winning two-point conversion.
The sequence was set in motion by a critical 4th-and-15 completion to wide receiver Carlos Hernandez. Earlier, in the first overtime, Lopez connected with Bryce Kania for a 24-yard touchdown - the first score of Kania’s career.
The performance put Lopez in a pretty exclusive club for Wake Forest quarterbacks. It was just the second time in his career that he has rushed for two touchdowns in one game, matching what he did against Louisiana on Nov. 16, 2024, while at South Alabama. It also made him just the sixth Wake Forest quarterback since 1996 to throw for more than 225 yards, rush for more than 55 yards and score two rushing touchdowns in the same game, and the first since the 2023 season.
Across the ACC and beyond, the numbers have stood out too. Lopez is one of only two ACC quarterbacks - and one of 11 nationally - to post at least 225 passing yards, 55 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in a game this season.
Through Week 2, he is also one of only two quarterbacks in the country with 575 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and zero turnovers.
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Gio Lopez Is Giving Wake Forest Real Hope Heading Into Miami
Gio Lopez gave Wake Forest a much-needed spark in his first start against Purdue, showing a mix of calm and creativity that the Demon Deacons have been searching for at quarterback. Even with the offensive line under pressure, Lopez handled the situation well, throwing for 225 yards and a touchdown while also making plays with his legs as Wake Forest tried to settle in on offense.
What stood out most was how composed he looked when the game tightened, especially on a late critical fourth-and-15 where he found a way to keep the drive moving. With Miami next on the schedule, Wake Forest has reason to feel better about the direction of its offense, and Lopez has already done enough to make the matchup feel a little more intriguing. [Read more 🡒]