Wake Forest football has made a significant leap forward in just one year, as evidenced by their commanding 38-16 victory over the Akron Zips in their season opener on Thursday night. Last year, the Demon Deacons struggled to secure a narrow 10-9 win against Kennesaw State in their first game. This time around, they took control early and never looked back, demonstrating a more potent offensive attack and improved execution.
The game kicked off with Wake Forest immediately asserting their dominance. On their opening drive, the Deacs covered 82 yards in just eight plays, culminating in a touchdown pass from quarterback Gio Lopez to receiver Kam Shanks. Lopez connected with Shanks on a crucial third down, setting the tone for the rest of the game with a 7-0 lead.
For Akron, the quarterback situation was a point of intrigue heading into the game. With Reese Poffenbarger still awaiting his NCAA waiver for an additional year of eligibility and Brayden Raggow not starting, redshirt freshman Cibastian Broughton was thrust into the spotlight. Unfortunately for the Zips, Broughton's debut was rocky, as he struggled under pressure, leading to a mere 134 total yards of offense for Akron in the first half.
Wake Forest capitalized on Akron's early struggles, extending their lead with a 25-yard field goal from Connor Calvert after the Zips went three-and-out. The Deacs continued to build momentum, with Lopez connecting on a 72-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Meeks, pushing the score to 17-0. The combination of Lopez's arm and Meeks' speed proved to be a lethal weapon for the Demon Deacons.
As the first half progressed, Wake Forest's defense forced another turnover, allowing Calvert to kick a 29-yard field goal for a 20-0 lead. After another Akron punt, Lopez found Carlos Hernandez for a four-yard pass that turned into a spectacular 74-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 28-0 after a successful two-point conversion. By halftime, Wake Forest held a commanding 28-3 lead, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
Lopez's performance was nothing short of impressive. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone, outpacing Akron's total offensive output for the entire game. The Demon Deacons finished with 559 yards of total offense, showcasing the effectiveness of their revamped game plan.
The second half saw Wake Forest maintain their lead, with Calvert adding a 26-yard field goal and Deuce Lawrence scoring on a four-yard touchdown run, extending the margin to 38-3. Though Akron managed to score a late touchdown with Raggow at quarterback, it was merely a consolation as the game had long been decided.
Despite the convincing victory, Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert expressed concerns about the team's execution, noting that they committed ten penalties for 100 yards throughout the game. He emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in offensive execution and defensive finishing. "Success can be an illusion," Dickert remarked, highlighting areas that still require attention as the team prepares for their next challenge.
The Demon Deacons will have a short turnaround, as they are set to travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, for a matchup against Purdue next Saturday. With extra time for film review and practice, Wake Forest aims to build on this strong start and refine their performance as they progress through the season.
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