Wake Forest enters the 2026 season with a couple of clear questions hanging over opening night, and both of them sit right at the heart of what made - and what limited - the Demon Deacons a year ago.
The first is whether the offense can become more than a boom-or-bust operation. Wake Forest had an impressive final record last season, but the passing game never settled in with any real consistency.
Robby Ashford delivered with his legs in key spots, yet his work as a passer was uneven for much of the year. As a result, the offense leaned heavily on explosive plays and on the running ability of Claiborne and Ashford.
Gio Lopez looks like a different kind of answer at quarterback. The left-hander appears to offer Wake Forest a cleaner pure-passing option, and Coach Dickert has already pointed to his quick release and ability to get the ball out fast.
That could mean a heavier dose of short and intermediate throws when the Deacs open against Akron on Thursday night. The upside is obvious, but the real question is whether the offense can string together enough consistency to keep defenses honest.
The second thing to keep an eye on is whether the defense can keep doing what it did best: erase explosive plays. Wake’s defensive success in big games against teams like SMU and Virginia was built on that trait. Last season, the Deacs allowed the 11th fewest plays of 20 yards or more in the FBS, and that kind of discipline made life miserable for opposing offenses.
This year’s defense brings back plenty, but it also has to replace some major pieces. Nick Andersen is now in the pros, and starting linebackers Dylan Hazen and Quincy Bryant are gone as well.
That leaves Wake needing to fill important production in the middle of the defense. Davaughn Patterson and Aiden Hall are expected to take on bigger roles after strong seasons of their own, and the question is whether this group can stay nearly as stingy at preventing big gains.
Wake Forest and Akron are set for a 7:00 pm kickoff tomorrow night. Deac fans are being urged to get to Allegacy Stadium early for opening night, with the game set to stream on the ACC Network.
In Other News...
Wake Forest's New-Look Offense Took Over Fast Against Akron
Wake Forest did not need long to show how different the new-look offense could look against Akron. The Demon Deacons raced to a 28-3 halftime lead behind a string of explosive passing plays, with Gio Lopez steering the attack and the defense helping by piling up sacks and forcing a key turnover to keep the Zips on their heels.
The big-play burst came quickly and often, giving Wake Forest the kind of momentum shift it has been looking for as the season gets rolling. Lopez delivered multiple touchdown passes, and the scoring pace kept Akron scrambling even after the Zips finally pieced together a late drive before the break. For Wake Forest, the early takeaway is clear: when the passing game starts hitting in stride, the whole operation can change in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forests Fast Start Came With One Early Concern
Wake Forest got the new season off to a convincing start by beating Akron 38-16, and the early signs were encouraging on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Gio Lopez settled in quickly in his first game after transferring from UNC, while Carlos Hernandez, Antonio Meeks and Kam Shanks all helped stretch the field in an offense that also got strong protection up front.
The defense did its part, too, holding Akron to just 3 points through three quarters and getting a busy afternoon from linebacker Vincent Firenze, who finished with 9 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Even the kicking game was a weapon, with Ethan Hyams averaging 49 yards per punt and ranking second nationally, though the bigger question coming out of the opener is how long Wake Forest can keep that early rhythm if one of its key receiving threats is forced to miss extended time. [Read more 🡒]