New Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns, and the Demon Deacons cruised to a 38-16 season-opening win over Akron on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Allegacy Stadium.
Lopez did most of his damage in the first half, including a 72-yard touchdown throw to Antonio Meeks and a 78-yarder to Carlos Hernandez in the second quarter.
Wake Forest won its season opener for the sixth year in a row, and second-year coach Jake Dickert improved to 5-0 all-time in season debuts.
Here are things to know as the Demon Deacons got the 2026 season off to a victorious start:
🔥 Well, hello there, Gio Lopez
In Gio Lopez’s best game at UNC last season, the left-handed quarterback threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Syracuse. Lopez far surpassed that by halftime on Thursday, turning in a 17-of-25 performance for 313 yards and the three scores. He also rushed for 39 yards.
Sometimes you just have to find the right fit. Lopez looked much more comfortable in the old gold and black. Being back with his old offensive coordinator from South Alabama, Rob Ezell, seems to have elevated Lopez’s game for 2026.
Right guy. Right system 🫡 pic.twitter.com/fEqLQbOlfe
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 4, 2026
⚡ Carlos Hernandez, fellow receivers were cooking
Lopez and backup Steele Pizzella spread the ball around to nine different receivers. Hernandez had the biggest stat-stuffing night, finishing with five catches for 165 yards and that 78-yard touchdown catch. Meeks added three catches for 93 yards, while Kam Shanks hauled in the first scoring pass and finished with five catches for 55 yards.
The offense cooled in the second half, but there was a lot to like about how Wake Forest lit the fuse at the outset.
🏃 And Wake could run it, too
The Deacs had their first 100-yard rushing performance of the season thanks to Ty Clark III, who turned seven carries into 107 yards. Deuce Lawrence went for 52 yards and a touchdown. Lopez finished with 39 yards on seven keepers.
📊 A few more stat notes
- Wake Forest had zero turnovers and went 2-for-2 on fourth down.
- The Deacs finished with 559 total yards, 356 through the air and 203 on the ground.
- Akron was efficient in the passing game, with quarterbacks going 28-of-33, but the Zips only managed 4.7 yards per pass play (156 total).
- Vincent Firenze and Frank Cusano led the Wake defense with nine tackles each. Firenze made six solo stops.
- Connor Calvert missed a rare field goal but hit three on the night, from 25, 29 and 26 yards. He finished with 12 kicker points.
🧐 If you’re picking nits…
Akron did outscore Wake Forest 13-7 in the fourth quarter, tacking on a late touchdown for the final margin (and sending the game over the total for those who pay attention to those things).
The Zips managed 20 first downs for the game and finished with 305 total yards after being held down much of the opening half.
Wake Forest had 11 penalties for 115 yards and that will need to be cleaned up before next week.
➡️ What’s Next for Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons will visit Purdue of the Big Ten next weekend. The Boilermakers face Indiana State in their season opener this Friday.
