Wake Forest is expecting a pair of key offensive pieces back in the lineup this week, and head coach Jake Dickert sounded upbeat about both at Monday’s weekly press conference ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Purdue.
The biggest name on the injury watch is wide receiver Carlos Hernandez, who left Thursday’s opener in the first half after taking a hard hit late in the second quarter. Dickert said the issue wasn’t a long-term concern.
"I think Carlos will be fine," said Dickert when asked about his receiver's status. "It's just one of those things where he just kept cramping on him a little bit and could never catch his breath. So we just weren't in a position to get him back out there, but I think he'll be 100% this week."
Hernandez made his presence felt before exiting, flashing immediate chemistry with Gio Lopez. In just 28 snaps, he finished with 9 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown, production that helped fuel Wake Forest’s 28-3 halftime lead.
The other important return is on the offensive line, where third-year interior lineman Clinton Richard is set to rejoin the group after missing the opener. Dickert made clear how much that matters for a unit that had to be adjusted on the fly.
"Clinton Richard will be back this week for the game, which - any time you can have a player of Clint's caliber back in as one established piece of that offensive line - I think that's going to be a big positive for our whole offense and that unit in general."
Richard started the season opener a year ago but broke a bone in his foot on the final drive against Kennesaw State. He came back in November against North Carolina and became a fixture at his spot, which made him a priority to retain this offseason.
With Richard out on Thursday, Oregon State transfer Ryan Berger slid over to the left side, a role he hadn’t taken any reps at during spring camp. Now Berger is expected to move back to his more natural spot on the right side.
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 🡒]
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 🡒]