This year, Halloween came on the "Wake"-end. The Deacs dominate Virginia and look to be locked in after a 51-7 win
Updated: 7 hours ago
Preview: Virginia Cavaliers (4-4, 2-3 in the ACC) vs #14 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1, 4-1 in the ACC)
This year (October 31, 2026 at Allegacy Field/3:45pm EST kickoff), Halloween came on the "Wake"-end.
As a play off the classic Geto Boys Song (My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me), Wake Forest isn't tricking anybody. In their 2nd year being "Built in the Dark", the Deacs enter today's game just a game behind the #1 Miami Hurricanes and keeping pace with the #19 SMU Mustangs for the top spot in the ACC. And coming off a bye, the team is riding a 4-game winning streak.
While today's ACC opponent, the Virginia Cavaliers, come in losing 3 of their last 4 games, they have plenty of incentive in today's matching. Last year, the Deacs are the only team to beat the Wahoos (Virginia's alter ego) at Charlottesville, VA (their home), and 2 years ago, the 'Hoos pulled out a late win at Wake Forest. With a need to win 2 of their last 4 games to be bowl eligible, there's definitive intrigue with today's game.
Offensively, the Cavs are expecting Beau Pribula (the quarterback has thrown for 1,369 passing yards/65.0% completion percentage/13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions), running back Jekall Middlebrook (513 rushing yards/4.9 yards per carry/4 touchdowns), and Da'Shawn Martin (247 receiving yards/14.5 yards per catch/5 touchdowns) to lead an offense averaging 28.3 points per game (but only 16 points per game in their last 4 games in which they have a 1-3 record) to challenge a Deacon defense allowing 19.4 per game this season (and 12.8 during their current winning streak) as linebacker Vincent Firenze (49 total tackles), defensive end Langston Hardy (37 tackles along with 5.5 sacks), and Alden Hall (the linebacker has 46 total tackles) lead the way for the team.
For the Deacs, the conversation starts with the play of Gio Lopez. The quarterback is among the top in the nation and a contender for post-season awards in the conference and beyond as his leadership (1,947 passing yards/67.6% completion percentage, 17 passing touchdowns and 1 interception) sets the tone for the high-powered offense which is scoring 37.4 points per game (including an average of 41.5 points per game during their 4 game winning streak). The contributions of Ty Clark (328 rushing yards/4.7 yards per carry/4 touchdowns) and Deuce Lawrence (307 rushing yards/4.9 yards per game/3 touchdowns) provide balance in the run game, while Carlos Hernandez (720 receiving yards/14.7 yards per catch/4 touchdowns) and Jack Foley (373 receiving yards/18.6 yards per catch/4 touchdowns) are integral components to the receiver corp; defensive back Jacobie Henderson (40 tackles) and Matthew Fobbs-White (4 sacks) look to provide pushback as they are allowing a stout 19.6 points per game.
As noted, neither team is trying to trick the other as it looks like we're in for a treat in the home stretch of conference play.
Recap: The Deacs control the game, but there are concerns on the status of Gio Lopez
While Virginia starts the game with the ball, Wake starts off fast and keeps their foot on the gas.
The Deacs take a 7-0 lead (12:29 in the 1st quarter) thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Ty Clark III. They would close out the 1st quarter with a 10-0 lead thanks to a 45-yard field goal by Connor Calvert.
In the 2nd quarter, Wake gets separation from the 'Hoos as Ty Clark III scores his 2nd touchdown of the game (a 4-yard burst at the 11:33 mark) to take a 17-0 lead. And just as they closed out the 1st quarter, Connor Calvert's 2nd field goal of the game (25-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the game) gives the Deacs a 20-0 halftime lead.
Wake starts with the ball in the 3rd quarter and adds to their lead on a 44-yard field goal by Connor Calvert (9:59 in the 3rd quarter) to extend the lead to 23-0. At the 7:07 mark of the 3rd quarter, Gio Lopez connects with Carlos Hernandez for a 10-yard touchdown to make it a 30-0 game. They would extend the lead to 37-0 as Ty Clark III scores his 3rd touchdown of the game (4:24 in the 3rd quarter).
On their subsequent possession, Gio Lopez is removed from the game when one of the Virginia defensive linesmen rolls into his lower body (although he is later seen walking on the sidelines). Steele Pizzella immediately replaces him at quarterback as Jamar Searcy concludes the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 44-0.
With 50 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Virginia finally snaps Wake's offensive run as Beau Pribula connects with Da'Shawn Martin for a 47-yard score to end their scoring drought (and make it a 44-7 game).
Kyndall McCaleb's 27-yard burst (9:08 in the 4th quarter) gives the Deacs a 51-7 lead.
Post-game: Wake gets their 5th win in a row, but there are concerns on the status of Gio Lopez and Aiden Hall going into next week
The Deacs waste little time in taking control of the game.
Their overall dominance on offense (they outgain Virginia 538-330 in total yards) is highlighted by 309 rushing yards (6.1 yards per carry). Defensively, the Deacs hold Virginia to less than 1 yard per carry (19 rushes for 16 yards/0.8 yards per carry) as they win their 5th consecutive game.
During post-game, Coach Dickert, Ty Clark III, Braylon Johnson, and Carlos Hernandez field our questions. All speak to the overall team effort along with the transformative presence of Gio Lopez as his and Aiden Hall's status are among those all keep an eye on (you may watch the video below for their remarks):
Wake is led offensively by Gio Lopez (13/21 for 229 passing yards and a touchdown/13 carries for 64 yards/4.9 yards per carry), Ty Clark III (8 carries/48 yards/6.0 yards per carry/3 touchdowns), Jamar Searcy (8 carries/78 yards/9.8 yards per carry/1 touchdown), and Carlos Hernandez (8 receptions/136 yards/17.0 yards per reception/1 touchdown). On defense, Braylon Johnson (7 tackles/1 interception), Langston Hardy (5 tackles), Cameron Hardy (1 sack), and Dallas Afalva (1 sack) lead the shutdown effort.
As for Virginia, Beau Pribula (20/29 for 212 passing yards/1 touchdown and 1 interception) and Da'Shawn Martin (9 receptions/119 receiving yards/13.2 yards per reception/1 touchdown) ensure the team avoiding a shutout. On defense, Montino Williams (10 tackles) and Kam Robinson (5 tackles/1 sack) do what they can as Wake's defensive generally has free reign during the game.
While the 'Hoos (4-5 overall and 2-4 in the ACC) have a bye before their next game at home against Cal on November 14, 2026 (and focus on winning 2 of their last 3 to be bowl eligible), the Deacs are dialed on on their next opponent (for Homecoming) on November 7, 2026 (3:30pm EST kickoff) against Merrimack as they improve to 7-1 overall (and in 2nd place in the ACC with a 5-1 conference record) as they look to build on their current run.
The Deacs show up and out on the Wake-end.
NOTES. You may watch our 2026 season playlist (click HERE) which includes in-game snapshots and postgame interviews from the games covered.
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