Wake Forest opened the season with a convincing win over Akron, jumping out to a 28-0 run and never letting the game slip away. For a team trying to set the tone early, that kind of control matters. The Demon Deacons handled a lesser opponent the way they were supposed to, and plenty of questions from the opener got answered in the process.
But the tape also showed a problem Wake Forest can’t afford to carry into ACC play: penalties.
The Deacons were flagged 11 times for 115 yards against Akron, a number that stood out even in a lopsided win. That penalty yardage was more than Wake Forest had in all of last season, when its high-water mark was 109 yards against Oregon State.
Against Akron, the mistakes didn’t change the outcome. Against Miami, Louisville and the rest of the tougher teams on the schedule, they very well could.
That’s especially true for a team built to run the ball and control possession. Staying on schedule is a big part of what makes that style work, and penalties only make that job harder by creating long-yardage situations and killing momentum. The Deacons did avoid turnovers, which kept them from giving away free possessions, but that doesn’t erase the issue.
Dickert was pleased with the overall performance and said it was a much better outing than Wake Forest’s opener from last season. Still, he made it clear the penalty problem has to be addressed before the competition gets sharper.
"But yeah, you can't win games with that many penalty yards. You just can't.
That's what I mean by sloppy attention to detail," Dickert said. "But at the end of the day, we've got to take a really serious look at this film and figure out where we can get better"
Wake Forest has reason to feel good about how it started, but the early-season cleanup work is obvious. The Deacons will get another chance to sharpen things up Saturday against Purdue.
In Other News...
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
Wake Forest is getting a little healthier at just the right time, with coach Jake Dickert offering positive updates on a pair of key offensive pieces before the Purdue matchup. Wide receiver Carlos Hernandez, who left the previous game because of cramping, is expected to be fully recovered, while offensive lineman Clinton Richard is set to return after missing the opener with an injury.
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 🡒]