Wake Forest enters the stretch run with momentum, and the bye week comes at a time when the Demon Deacons have already shown they can stack wins and control games. With five games left, the path is clear enough: keep playing like they did before the break, and the push for the ACC Championship stays alive.
That recent stretch has been loud. Wake has beaten its last three opponents by 24 points or more, and all three came against ACC competition, with two of those wins coming on the road. If the Deacs are going to keep climbing, the next step is turning that kind of form into a habit.
One of the biggest reasons for the surge has been the ground game. Wake has topped 175 rushing yards in three of its last four games, with the lone exception coming in Raleigh against NC State. That kind of production gives the offense real balance and makes the passing game even harder to defend.
What stands out most is how many different backs and runners have chipped in. Wake already has four players with at least 120 rushing yards this season. Ty Clark III has been steady even while dealing with nagging injuries, Gio Lopez has added another layer as a mobile quarterback, and Jamar Searcy has emerged as a real threat in recent weeks.
Freshman Deuce Lawrence may be the most intriguing piece of all. He’s already piled up more than 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and his role keeps growing. With his speed and the way he’s trending, he looks like a major factor for Wake’s offense in the final stretch.
The defense, meanwhile, has built its own identity up front. Wake has become the third-best ACC team in stopping the run by yards per game, and the line has been a big part of that. The Deacs have posted at least six tackles for loss in each of their last four games, consistently winning at the line of scrimmage.
That success starts with depth. Langston Hardy leads the group with 5.5 sacks off the edge, while Gabe Kirschke has added three sacks on the opposite side.
Inside, Zach Lohavichan has been terrific with seven TFLs, and Dallas Afalava has also been excellent in applying pressure. Matt Herron has done strong work against the run, and young Kadear Dembele is making noticeable gains.
If that front keeps producing, Wake’s ceiling rises fast.
The young talent has shown up in other places too.
Freshman Somad Eaddy has become one of the clearest examples. He made the most of his chance in the second half against Miami and hasn’t looked back.
He picked off his first career pass at a crucial moment against Louisville and is currently graded as Wake’s second-best defensive player by PFF. His play at corner has given the Deacs another boost.
Freshman tight end Dominick Barry had his own breakout at Cal, catching three touchdowns and finishing with more than 100 receiving yards. Wake would love to see that turn into steady production at the tight end spot. Myles Turpin also delivered against Cal, stepping in for Davaughn Patterson after the ejection and leading the team with 10 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.
That depth matters, and Wake has plenty of examples now of young players stepping in and making real plays. If that continues over the final five games, the Deacs will have a lot more than a strong bye-week reset to lean on.
In Other News...
Virginia Faces Another Ranked Test It Can't Afford To Let Slip
Wake Forest heads into its matchup with Virginia looking every bit like a team that has found its rhythm, carrying a four-game winning streak and the kind of offensive production that has made it one of the more difficult teams to slow down in the ACC. The Demon Deacons have piled up points and passing yards, and their recent run has turned this into more than just another conference game for a Virginia team trying to steady itself after a rough October.
Virginia has lost three of four and is searching for a response against a ranked opponent it cannot really afford to let get away. Both coaches have talked about the work that goes into preparing for a game like this, with Wake Forest trying to keep its momentum rolling and Virginia focused on the challenge of matching up with a team that has been clicking on offense. The setup leaves little margin for error, which is exactly why this one has the feel of a test both sides have been waiting for. [Read more 🡒]