Victorious over #14 Virginia: Wake's gritty play results in 16-9 win on the road and a return to playing in bowl game season

Preview: #14 Virginia Cavaliers (8-1 overall/5-0 conference [1st place in the ACC}) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-3 overall/2-3 conference [4 way tie for 5th place in the ACC])

In November, seasons can be made or broken.

Both Virginia and Wake Forest come in with a lot to play for in tonight's nationally televised tilt at Scott Stadium (November 8, 2025/7pm kickoff on ESPN).

The Cavaliers sit atop the ACC standings as they are the only undefeated team in conference play. Looking slightly on the outside of the College Football playoffs, tonight's game takes on added significance. Starting quarterback Chandler Morris (2069 passing yards/67.0 completion percentage/12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) leads an offense scoring a robust 36.4 points per game and 439.0 yards per game (total offense). Complimented by running back J'Mari Taylor (686 rushing yards/4.6 yards per carry/11 rushing touchdowns) and wideout Trell Harris (545 receiving yards/14.7 yards per catch/4 touchdowns), who leads a trio of wideouts with more than 385 receiving yards, look to put pressure on the Wake Forest defense (who is allowing 325.1 yards per game of total offense). Defensive leaders Nick Andersen (a Virginia native who at safety leads the team with 69 tackles) and Langston Hardy (4.5 sacks) look to slow down the Cavs' offense.

The Deacs look to rebound after having their 3-game winning streak snapped last weekend against Florida State. Quarterback Robby Ashford (1298 passing yards/58.5 completion percentage/3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions) looks to jumpstart the offense (375.9 total yards per game). Another Virginia native, Demond Claiborne (639 rushing yards/6.0 yards per carry/8 rushing touchdowns), looks to generate some solid plays against the Virginia run defense who is allowing 111.0 rushing yards per game. Chris Barnes (32 receptions/492 receiving yards/15.4 yards per catch/3 touchdowns) and the team wideouts and tight ends hope to take advantage of matchups in the secondary as Virginia allows 231.8 yards per game in the air. They'll likely be aware of Kam Robinson (the team's leading tackler 54 total tackles) and Daniel Rickert (who leads the team with 5.5 sacks).

Recap: Wake's defensive ability to hold the line, a sensational play on special teams, and gritty offense result in victory.

Wake opens the game with the ball, and on its opening drive, is faced with adversity.

Virginia's special teams blocks Cal Joseph's punt and recovers the ball on the Wake 28-yard line. However, solid play by the defense limits the Cavaliers to scoring a field goal to take a 3-0 lead (11:48 in the 1st quarter).

Early in the 2nd quarter, starting quarterback Chandler Morris suffers an injury after a running play (and not to return to the game). Backup quarterback Daniel Kaelin enters and during a 3rd and 1 from the UVA 38-yard line, he's able to break containment to break free for a 54-yard rumble to the Wake 8-yard line. Again, the defense stands up and limits the Cavaliers to a field goal to trail 6-0 (4:27 in the 2nd quarter).

Later in the quarter, the Deacs would get the breakthrough they needed.

Carlos Hernandez' deft ball-handling of an uneven punts combined with sound blocking and vision results in an 88-yard touchdown return (which ends up being the only touchdown scored in the game) to give Wake a 7-6 lead (1:33 in the 2nd quarter). On the ensuing possession by Virginia, the Wake defense forces a fumble on Daniel Kaelin and Connor Calvert would convert on a 39-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the 2nd quarter to give Wake a 10-6 lead at halftime.

Virginia would inch closer in the 3rd quarter as Will Bettridge's 40-yard field goal (10:35 in the 3rd quarter) reduces the Wake lead to 1 point (10-9), but the Deacs would respond later in the 3rd quarter with a field goal of their own. Connor Calvert's 50-yard field goal (3:49 in the 3rd quarter) puts their lead back to 4 points (13-9).

With a 4th quarter marked by solid defense by both teams, Wake would add another field goal at the 3:53 mark of the 4th quarter, as Connor Calvert makes a 49-yard field goal with 3:53 left in the game. Despite a late drive by Virginia which gets them inside the 10-yard line within the last minute of the game, the Deacons' defense stands up yet again to preserve the win.

Post-game: A historic win leads Wake Forest back to a bowl game for the first time since 2022.

With their win over Virginia, it is the first road win against an opponent ranked inside the top-15 for Wake Forest since 1979 when they defeated UGA "Between the Hedges".

While Virginia outgains Wake on offense (327-203), Wake's ability to get the defense off the field (as they hold the Cavaliers to 3 of 14 on 3rd down conversions) along with forcing 3 turnovers are key in their win. Likewise, the truly big play on special teams (punt return for a touchdown) ends up being a difference maker.

In his first year as the head coach of the Deacs, Coach Jake Dickert, his staff, and player are emerging difference-makers in returning the team to playing a meaningful game in December and/or January by returning to a bowl game for the first time since 2022. During post-game, he, defensive lineman Langston Hardy, wide receiver/punt returner Carlos Hernandez, linebacker Dylan Hazen, and running back (and team captain) Demond Claiborne speak to the team's overall effort. Ranging from their belief system, resiliency, focus, grit, and incorporation of their "Built in the Dark" mantra, the team is able to return to the win column (winning 4 of their last 5 games) and focused on building for their upcoming games (you may watch their responses to our interview questions below):

In the winning effort, quarterback Robby Ashord (46 passing yards/57 rushing yards) and Demond Claiborne (25 carries for 75 yards) lead the offense. Defensively, team captain Nick Andersen and Davaughn Patterson set the tone for the defense as they both have 8 tackles; Dallas Afalava and Nuer Gatkuoth have a sack apiece, and the presence of Dylan Hazen (2 fumble recoveries) and Langston Hardy (1 fumble recovery) seal the deal for the Deacs, along with Connor Calvert's 3 for 3 effort (field goals) and Carlos Hernandez (3 punt returns for 124 yards and a touchdown) contributions on special teams.

As for Virginia, backup quarterback Daniel Kaelin (18/28 for 145 passing yards with 2 lost fumbles), J'Mari Taylor (19 carries for 98 yards with 1 lost fumble), and Trell Harris (6 receptions for 60 yards) lead the offense. Kam Robinson (10 tackles) and Devin Neal (8 tackles) provide leadership for the sound defensive effort.

And for the Deacs, a return to playing meaningful games in November and beyond is augmented via their gritty team effort.

Notes: All photos and video are recorded by asnortonccs; you may watch additional game and season snapshots along with the full interviews on our 2025 season playlist by clicking HERE.

Wake returns home on November 15, 2025 (4:30pm kickoff at Allegacy Field) to take a second of their Big 4 rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels.