RALEIGH – For 30 minutes Saturday afternoon, NC State appeared positioned to defend its home field against one of its oldest rivals. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Wake Forest had turned a four-point halftime deficit into a 17-point advantage and taken complete control of the game.
Behind quarterback Gio Lopez and a defense that shut out the Wolfpack in the second half, Wake Forest scored 31 unanswered points to defeat NC State 38-14 at Carter-Finley Stadium in this week's Carolina Gridiron Old North State Showdown.
The Demon Deacons (5-1, 3-1 ACC) trailed 14-10 at halftime before scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions of the second half. Wake Forest outgained NC State 265-63 over the final two quarters, turning what had been a competitive rivalry matchup into a decisive road victory.
Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns while adding a one-yard scoring run. He finished the game with 13 consecutive completions, accounting for 184 passing yards during that stretch.
His primary targets were Jack Foley and Carlos Hernandez, who combined for 20 receptions, 273 yards and two touchdowns. Foley established a career high with 156 yards on eight catches, while Hernandez set a career high with 12 receptions for 117 yards.
It marked the first time Wake Forest had two receivers surpass 100 yards in the same game since A.T. Perry and Jaquarii Roberson accomplished the feat against North Carolina on November 6, 2021.
A Rivalry Game That Changed After Halftime
NC State (3-3, 1-2 ACC) recovered from a disastrous opening possession to control much of the first half.
The Wolfpack lost a fumble on their third offensive play when Wake Forest linebacker Vincent Firenze stripped quarterback CJ Bailey. Defensive back Braylon Johnson recovered the ball and returned it 28 yards to the NC State two-yard line.
Two plays later, Lopez connected with tight end Matthew Lusardi for a one-yard touchdown, giving the Demon Deacons a 7-0 lead just 1:57 into the game. It was Lusardi's first career reception and touchdown.
NC State responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, tying the game on Bailey's 24-yard touchdown pass to Chance Robinson with 8:17 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wolfpack then produced their longest scoring possession of the afternoon, marching 96 yards in 13 plays after taking over at their own four-yard line. Will Wilson capped the drive with a two-yard jump pass to Hunter Provience, whose one-handed touchdown reception gave NC State a 14-7 advantage with 9:42 remaining in the second quarter.
Wake Forest threatened late in the half, moving 89 yards in 16 plays, but the Wolfpack defense held near the goal line. Connor Calvert converted a 23-yard field goal as time expired, sending NC State into halftime with a 14-10 lead.
The Wolfpack had limited Wake Forest to 122 total yards in the opening half, while Bailey had completed his first 16 passes.
Those advantages disappeared quickly after intermission.
Wake Forest opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 73-yard touchdown drive. Hernandez caught four passes for 54 yards during the possession, including a six-yard touchdown reception that put the Demon Deacons ahead 17-14 with 10:44 remaining in the period.
After forcing NC State's first three-and-out of the afternoon, Wake Forest needed only four plays to travel 64 yards. Foley accounted for 63 yards on the possession, finishing it with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Lopez to extend the lead to 24-14.
The Wolfpack subsequently advanced to the Wake Forest 32-yard line but failed to convert on fourth down. The Demon Deacons capitalized again, driving 68 yards before Lopez scored from one yard out on fourth-and-goal.
Wake Forest had scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter alone, transforming a 14-10 halftime deficit into a 31-14 advantage.
The Demon Deacons added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Deuce Lawrence scored on a 17-yard run, completing a seven-play, 66-yard possession and pushing the lead to 38-14 with 11:24 remaining.
NC State never answered.
Wake Forest's Defense Takes Over
While Lopez and his receivers provided the offensive production, Wake Forest's second-half defense was equally decisive.
NC State managed just 63 yards after halftime and finished the game with only 15 net rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Wolfpack averaged 0.6 yards per carry and surrendered three sacks for 37 yards in losses.
Wake Forest defensive lineman Langston Hardy recorded eight tackles, including two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Firenze also finished with eight tackles to accompany his first-quarter forced fumble.
The Demon Deacons held NC State to two conversions on nine third-down attempts in the second half after the Wolfpack had converted four of six before halftime.
Bailey finished 28-of-39 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown, but NC State's inability to establish a rushing attack left the offense increasingly dependent on the passing game.
The Wolfpack entered the matchup without three starting offensive linemen and leading running back Duke Scott because of injuries.
Keenan Jackson led NC State with five receptions for 61 yards, while Robinson caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Preston Douglas added five receptions for 45 yards.
Linebacker Popo Aguirre led all defenders with 12 tackles, including one for loss. Freshman Ziggy Moore contributed nine tackles, while fellow freshman Elijah Satchell recorded NC State's lone sack.
Bailey also reached a career milestone, increasing his passing total to 7,025 yards and moving past Devin Leary into sixth place on NC State's all-time list.
Road Success Continues for the Demon Deacons
Saturday's victory was Wake Forest's third road win over a Power Four opponent this season, following a 38-36 double-overtime victory at Purdue on September 12 and a 30-27 win at No. 16 Louisville on September 26.
The Demon Deacons have scored at least 30 points in all three victories, strengthening their position in the ACC race under second-year head coach Jake Dickert.
For NC State, the defeat marked its first home loss of the season and its second loss in three conference games. The Wolfpack still lead the all-time series 70-44-6, but Saturday's result belonged emphatically to the visitors.
Wake Forest will travel to California next Saturday for its first meeting with Cal, while NC State will return to action Friday, October 23, at Stanford.
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