A Big 4 Battle: Wake wins against their Tobacco Road rival by defeating the Tar Heels 28-12
- Nov 15, 2025
- 6 min read
Preview: UNC Tar Heels (4-5, 2-3 in the ACC) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-3, 3-3 in the ACC)
On November 15, 2025 (4:30pm EST kickoff on the CW), another edition of the state of North Carolina's oldest football rivalry is renewed.
When it comes to the Big 4 (Duke, NC State, UNC, and Wake) getting together, it's usually a high-energy atmosphere amongst the players, campuses, alumni, and fans; today's Tobacco Road rivalry is no different as both teams are playing for meaningful games in December (and/or January).
After a sluggish start with 5 losses in their first 7 games, UNC is starting to round into form and being a thorn in the side of other teams in the ACC. Their defense is playing at an improved level, as they've allowed 63 points in their past 4 games (15.8 points per game) and are 2-2 in that stretch (including a 1 point overtime loss against Virginia who is ranked 16th at the time they played them). Melkart Abou Jaoude (10 sacks) and Tyler Thompson (7 sacks) provide tremendous pressure at defensive end, and leading tackler Khmori House (53 total tackles) lead a Tar Heel defense allowing 102.6 rushing yards per game and 218.7 passing yards per game (321.3 yards allowed per game). They are giving up 21.3 points per game this season, as with their current stretch, pose a challenge to the Wake Forest offense. Conversely, the Deacs' offense looks to make plays in the passing game, as quarterback Robbie Ashford (1344 passing yards/57.3 completion percentage/3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions along with 344 rushing yards [4.2 yards per carry and 4 rushing touchdowns]) focuses on connecting with Chris Barnes (34 receptions/50414.8 yards per reception) and the rest of the receiving corp. Demond Claiborne (714 rushing yards/5.4 yards per carry/8 touchdowns) also looks to challenge the Tar Heels' rush defense (Wake comes in averaging 141.1 rushing yards per game/215.6 passing yards per game/358.7 total yards of offense per game along with scoring 23.3 points per game).
On the other side of the ball, the Wake Forest defense is coming off a tremendous effort in allowing 9 points in their win at Virginia (ranked 14th at the time) and during their 4-1 stretch over their past 5 games, are allowing 20 points per game (if you factor out the loss against Florida State, it drops to 14.5 per game). Safety Nick Andersen (77 total tackles), Devaughn Patterson (58 total tackles), and Langston Hardy (4.5 sacks) look to limit the UNC offense (who is averaging 19.4 points per game at this point of the regular season). Tar Heel quarterback Gio Lopez (1224 passing yards/64.3 completion percentage/8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) figures to lean on the playmaking ability of running back Demon June (420 rushing yards/6.3 yards per carry/2 touchdowns) and wideout Jordan Shipp (40 receptions/407 receiving yards/11.7 yards per receptions/4 touchdowns). With Wake allowing 325.3 yards per game (137.1 rushing yards per game/188.2 passing yards per game), they'll apply the proverbial "take what the defense is giving them" (as they are allowing 20.3 points per game on the season).
Since 2019, the 5 games played between the teams are decided by a total of 24 points (with UNC winning the last 4 in a row by a combined total of 18 points). With the Tar Heels focused on being bowl eligible (as they must win 2 of their last 3 to play a bowl game) and the Deacs looking to position itself for an upper-level bowl game, there's more than just bragging rights to play for, as the teams look to come away with a win and moving up the conference standings.
Recap:
UNC wins the coin toss and defers to the 2nd half.
On Wake's opening possession, the offense scores in one of the more unlikely ways possible; Robby Ashford breaks loose for a 12 yard carry and fumbles the ball. Literally, the ball squibs across what seems like an eternity before sure-handed receiver Carlos Hernandez scoops up the ball and slivers his way to one of the more unlikely 51 yard rushing touchdowns many may ever see (13:11 in the 1st quarter) to give the Deacs a 7-0 lead.
The Tar Heels would cut the lead to 7-3 early in the 2nd quarter (12:54) as Rece Verhoff would convert a 40 yard field goal. During the 2nd quarter, he has his 39 yard attempt blocked by Nick Andersen (7:27) to keep the game at 7-3.
The Deacs would add to their lead inside the 2-minute mark of the 2nd quarter. After UNC's head coach Bill Bellichek declines an illegal motion penalty against them, Demond Claiborne converts for a 12 yard touchdown run through the middle of the Tar Heel defense to make it a 14-3 lead (1:47). However, as the 2nd quarter concludes (0:02), Verhoff squeezes out a 57 yard field goal to close out the half with Wake holding onto a 14-6 lead going into the half.
UNC opens with the ball in the 3rd quarter; Rece Verhoff's 3rd field goal of the game (6:46) from 42 yards away cuts the Deacs' lead to 14-9.
Wake would respond as Robby Ashford finds Carlos Hernandez on an intermediate route; Hernandez would evade the Tar Heels' defense and sidestep down the sidelines for a 70 yards for his second touchdown of the game, giving them their largest lead of the game (21-9 with 5:53 in the 3rd quarter).
Early in the 4th quarter, UNC would inch closer to Wake with another field goal from Rece Verhoff (47 yards with 11:03 left in the 4th quarter) to make it a 21-12 game. However, the Deacs would seal the deal in the closing moments of the 4th quarter (0:22) as Robby Ashford's 2 yard rumble for a touchdown closes the game out at 28-12, giving them their 5th win in their last 6 games.
Post-game: Key plays in all 3 phases propel the Deacs to their 5th win in their last 6 games as they improve to 7-3 overall (4-3 in the ACC)
Other than committing 1 turnover, Wake Forest's effort in all 3 phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams) enable them to outplay UNC.
Wake outgains UNC (414 to 257 yards of total offense) as defensively, they hold the Tar Heels to an anemic 2.3 yards per carry. Combined with the two blocked field goals and conversely, a ground game which averaged nearly 6 yards per carry (39 rushing attempts for 223 yards, a 5.7 yards per carry average and 3 rushing touchdowns), the Deacs have one of their better all-around performances of the season.
In addition to remarks from Coach Dickert, Carlos Hernandez, Robby Ashford, and Nick Andersen speak to the team's ability to remain focused and make plays when they need to; combined with their "Built in the Dark" mantra, the team's improvement is coming to light (you may watch their responses to our questions during the pressor below):
On offense, Robby Ashford (15/25 for 191 passing yards/1 touchdown along with 10 carries for 52 yards and a rushing touchdown), Carlos Hernandez (6 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown along with his 51 yard fumble recovery run for a touchdown), and Demond Claiborne (23 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown) set the tone. Defensively, Aiden Hall (9 tackles) and Davaughn Patterson (7 tackles) set the tone for the defense.
As for UNC (as at 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the ACC, must win their last 2 games against Duke and NC State to be bowl eligible), Gio Lopez (21/36 for 201 passing yards) and Jake Johnson (5 receptions for 54 yards) lead the offense as leading rusher Demon June is limited to 9 carries for 32 yards (he does contribute 2 receptions for 33 receiving yards). On defense, Khmori House (9 tackles) along with D'Antre Robinson and Melkart Abou Jaoude (both have 7 tackles) do their part to keep UNC in the game for as long as possible.
Another game day in the Big 4 and Tobacco Road, as the Deacs deliver another victory.
Notes: All photos and video are recorded by asnortonccs; to watch our 2025 season coverage (including interviews and in-game snapshots), you may visit our season playlist (click HERE).
Wake returns to Allegacy Stadium on November 22, 2025 (12pm EST kickoff) as they host Delaware for Senior Day. UNC returns home to Chapel Hill to host another Big 4 rival, Duke.
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