WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest used a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort to defeat North Carolina 28-12 on Saturday night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, improving to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

The Demon Deacons rushed for 223 yards on 39 carries while holding the Tar Heels to just 56 yards on the ground. Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford contributed both through the air and on the ground, throwing for 191 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 52 yards and another score.

Carlos Hernandez proved to be the game's most dynamic player, accounting for 181 all-purpose yards. He rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown on a single carry, caught six passes for 100 yards and another score, and added 30 yards on kick and punt returns. His 70-yard touchdown reception from Ashford in the third quarter extended Wake Forest's lead to 21-9 and effectively put the game out of reach.

Demond Claiborne anchored the Wake Forest ground game with 98 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. He scored from 12 yards out late in the second quarter to give the Demon Deacons a 14-3 halftime advantage.

North Carolina relied almost exclusively on kicker Rece Verhoff for its scoring. The Tar Heels made four field goals but never reached the end zone, settling for kicks of 40, 57, 42, and 47 yards. Verhoff also had two attempts blocked, including a 39-yarder in the second quarter and a 45-yarder at the end of the third quarter.

The Tar Heels managed just 257 total yards compared to Wake Forest's 414. North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez completed 21 of 36 passes for 201 yards but was sacked twice and struggled to sustain drives in the red zone. The Tar Heels converted just one of three red zone opportunities into points, settling for Verhoff's 40-yard field goal on their first scoring drive.

Wake Forest opened the scoring on its first possession, taking just 1:49 to march 75 yards in five plays. The drive culminated in Hernandez's 9-yard rushing touchdown, though the score came in unusual fashion. Ashford fumbled after a 9-yard rush, but Hernandez recovered the loose ball and raced 51 yards to the end zone with 13:11 remaining in the first quarter.

The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) showed brief signs of life in the first half. After Gavin Gibson forced and recovered a Claiborne fumble at the Wake Forest 31-yard line early in the second quarter, North Carolina drove to the 21-yard line before Verhoff's 39-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Nick Andersen.

Wake Forest capitalized on the momentum shift, driving 79 yards in 13 plays over 5:40 to extend its lead to 14-3. The drive featured several key conversions, including a fourth-and-one that Ashford converted with a quarterback sneak after an official review confirmed the first down.

North Carolina managed a 57-yard field goal from Verhoff as time expired in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-6 at halftime. The kick followed a drive aided by a 15-yard personal foul penalty against Wake Forest defensive back Aiden Hall.

The third quarter proved decisive. After the Tar Heels kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 14-9, Wake Forest responded immediately. Ashford hit Hernandez in stride on a crossing route, and the versatile playmaker outran the North Carolina defense for a 70-yard touchdown just 52 seconds later.

North Carolina's offense struggled with third-down efficiency, converting just four of 14 attempts. The Tar Heels also lost the time of possession battle 29:58 to 30:02, despite appearing to control tempo for stretches of the third quarter when they held the ball for 10:20.

Wake Forest's defense recorded six tackles for loss and two sacks while breaking up six passes. Aiden Hall led all tacklers with nine stops. The Demon Deacons held North Carolina to an average of just 4.2 yards per play.

Ashford sealed the victory with a 2-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-two with 22 seconds remaining. The 10-play, 55-yard drive consumed the final 4:59 of game time and featured several crucial third-down conversions.

Jake Johnson led North Carolina receivers with five catches for 54 yards, while Demon June rushed for 32 yards on nine carries. Khmori House paced the Tar Heels defense with nine tackles, including a sack.

The loss dropped North Carolina to 4-6 overall, putting bowl eligibility in jeopardy with just two regular-season games remaining. Wake Forest has now won three of its last four games.

Top Performers:

• Carlos Hernandez, WF: 181 all-purpose yards, 2 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving)
• Demond Claiborne, WF: 98 rushing yards, 1 TD on 23 carries
• Robby Ashford, WF: 191 passing yards, 1 TD; 52 rushing yards, 1 TD
• Rece Verhoff, UNC: 4-of-6 on field goals, including 57-yarder
• Aiden Hall, WF: 9 tackles, 1 TFL

WINSTON-SALEM – Connor Calvert's 50-yard field goal as time expired lifted Wake Forest to a 13-12 victory over SMU on Saturday at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, capping a defensive struggle that featured nine turnovers and persistent offensive frustration for both teams.

The Demon Deacons (5-2, 2-2) squandered two red zone opportunities in the second half but found redemption when their defense forced a punt with 12 seconds remaining. Wake Forest took over at its own 42-yard line and used three quick plays to set up Calvert's game-winner, which came after he had missed a 54-yarder at the end of the first half.

SMU (5-3, 3-1) took its only lead of the game late in the third quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, but a failed extra point left the Mustangs ahead just 12-10. That two-point margin proved critical when Wake Forest's final drive set up the winning kick.

The game featured relentless defensive pressure and sloppy ball security. Wake Forest fumbled six times, losing three, while SMU coughed it up twice and lost both. The teams combined for three interceptions, with SMU's defense recording two picks and returning them for 27 yards.

Wake Forest's offense managed just 301 total yards but converted on key third downs, finishing 6-of-18. The Demon Deacons held a significant advantage in possession time, controlling the ball for 32:22 compared to SMU's 27:38. That time advantage proved crucial in a low-scoring affair where field position and ball control determined the outcome.

Demond Claiborne carried Wake Forest's rushing attack with 23 carries for 73 yards, absorbing contact and moving the chains on critical downs. The senior running back also fumbled twice but lost only one, continuing to handle the bulk of the workload despite the turnover issues. Ty Clark added 12 yards on four carries, providing a change-of-pace option.

Wake Forest used two quarterbacks in a rotating system that produced mixed results. Deshawn Purdie completed 14 of 26 passes for 183 yards but threw two interceptions. Robby Ashford appeared in short-yardage and scoring situations, going 4-of-10 for 33 yards with one touchdown. The Demon Deacons also attempted one team pass that fell incomplete.

The receiving corps spread the production around. Chris Barnes hauled in five catches for 66 yards, leading all receivers in the game. Sam Berkhalter matched Barnes with five receptions, totaling 58 yards. Eni Falayi caught the game's only touchdown pass from Ashford, a 12-yard connection in the second quarter that put Wake Forest ahead 10-3.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings completed 21 of 39 passes for 171 yards and one interception while being sacked once. The Mustangs struggled to establish any rhythm offensively, converting just 4 of 17 third-down attempts. SMU's longest play from scrimmage was a 49-yard completion to RJ Maryland, but the Mustangs failed to turn that big gain into points.

The SMU rushing attack proved equally ineffective. Chris Johnson Jr. led the team with 29 yards on eight carries, while Tyler Harden gained 25 yards on 13 attempts. Clayton-Johnson provided the lone bright spot with his touchdown run, finishing with 12 yards on three carries. The Mustangs averaged just 2.7 yards per carry as a team.

Wake Forest seized the early momentum when Calvert connected on a 25-yard field goal with 4:59 remaining in the first quarter. That drive covered 12 plays and 12 yards after SMU punter Wade McSparron pinned the Demon Deacons deep in their own territory.

SMU responded with its best drive of the game early in the second quarter. The Mustangs marched 52 yards on 12 plays, with Sam Keltner tying the game at 3-3 on a 36-yard field goal. The drive consumed 4:51 and featured a balanced attack that moved SMU from its own 29-yard line into scoring range.

Wake Forest answered immediately when SMU fumbled after the ensuing kickoff. The Mustangs lost possession at their own 14-yard line, and two plays later Ashford found Falayi in the end zone. Calvert's extra point gave Wake Forest a 10-3 advantage with 10:09 left in the second quarter.

SMU cut the deficit to 10-6 before halftime when Keltner converted from 35 yards. The drive covered 69 yards on eight plays, keeping the Mustangs within striking distance. Wake Forest had a chance to extend its lead before the break, but Calvert's 54-yard attempt fell short as the clock expired.

The third quarter belonged to SMU's defense, which forced a Wake Forest turnover and set up the Mustangs' go-ahead score. Starting at Wake Forest's 41-yard line after a turnover on downs, SMU drove 41 yards on six plays. Clayton-Johnson punched it in from 6 yards out, but Keltner's extra point attempt failed, leaving SMU ahead 12-10 with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Wake Forest's defense stiffened in the fourth quarter despite two costly fumbles that gave SMU favorable field position. The Demon Deacons forced a punt with 1:52 remaining but immediately fumbled the ball back to SMU at their own 6-yard line. Wake Forest's defense responded again, forcing another punt with 12 seconds left.

The special teams battle featured solid punting from both teams. McSparron averaged 38.9 yards on nine punts for SMU, including two kicks of 50-plus yards. Wake Forest's C. Joseph averaged 39.9 yards on eight punts and placed five inside the 20-yard line, providing crucial field position advantages throughout the game.

Defensively, SMU's Isaiah Nwokobia led all players with 12 tackles while also recording an interception. Terry Webb registered eight tackles with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, providing consistent pressure on Wake Forest's quarterbacks. Marcellus Barnes Jr. added eight tackles and recovered a fumble.

Wake Forest's defensive effort was led by Nick Andersen, who finished with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Davaughn Patterson recorded seven tackles and forced a fumble while breaking up three passes. The Demon Deacons' defense recorded eight tackles for loss as a team, disrupting SMU's offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon.

The final drive epitomized Wake Forest's ability to respond under pressure after spending much of the game struggling to protect the football. Three plays covered 25 yards and set up Calvert's redemptive kick, which split the uprights as the clock hit zeroes.

Top Performers:

Wake Forest:

• Connor Calvert: 2-of-3 field goals, including game-winner from 50 yards
• Chris Barnes: 5 receptions, 66 yards
• Demond Claiborne: 23 rushes, 73 yards
• Nick Andersen: 8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss

SMU:

• Isaiah Nwokobia: 12 tackles, 1 interception
• Terry Webb: 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss
• Kevin Jennings: 21-of-39 passing, 171 yards

WINSTON-SALEM – NC State transformed a 24-14 halftime deficit into a 34-24 victory over Wake Forest Thursday night, riding a dominant second-half defensive performance and Hollywood Smothers' career rushing night to improve to 3-0 and open ACC play with a road win.

The Wolfpack defense, which surrendered 311 total yards and 24 points in the first half, completely shut down Wake Forest after intermission. The Demon Deacons managed just 44 yards and two first downs over the final 30 minutes, failing to score in the second half while NC State rattled off 17 unanswered points.

The victory marked NC State's fourth comeback win from a deficit of 10 or more points over the past two seasons, tying Iowa State and Missouri for most in FBS during that span. It also represented the Wolfpack's first back-to-back wins in Winston-Salem since 1993 and 1995.

First Half Fireworks

The game opened with immediate drama as Wake Forest's Chris Barnes returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, giving the Demon Deacons a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the contest. It marked Wake Forest's first kickoff return for a touchdown since Demond Claiborne's 100-yard return against Miami in 2024.

Wake Forest extended their advantage to 14-0 on their first offensive possession when quarterback Robby Ashford capped a seven-play, 93-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The drive featured an 82-yard passing performance by Ashford, including a spectacular 70-yard connection to Barnes that set up the score.

NC State answered back with 2:35 remaining in the opening quarter when CJ Bailey found tight end Justin Joly for a five-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-one, completing an eight-play, 75-yard drive. The score came in unusual circumstances, with smoke from a food truck fire outside the stadium drifting into the end zone.

The first quarter's most memorable moment came with 1:19 left when NC State defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley intercepted an Ashford pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown, evening the score at 14-14. The 280-pound Shirley became the first Wolfpack defensive lineman to return an interception for a touchdown since Alim McNeill in 2020.

Wake Forest regained the lead in the second quarter on another Ashford rushing touchdown, this time from one yard out to cap a nine-play, 75-yard drive that put the Demon Deacons ahead 21-14. The drive was highlighted by a 42-yard reception to Eni Falayi that moved Wake Forest deep into NC State territory.

Connor Calvert's 28-yard field goal extended Wake Forest's lead to 24-14 with 4:07 remaining in the half. The kick concluded an 11-play, 69-yard drive that included key receptions by Micah Mays Jr. and Sterling Berkhalter, both for 26 yards.

NC State managed to cut the deficit before halftime when Kanoah Vinesett connected on a 24-yard field goal with 1:00 left, sending the teams to the locker room with Wake Forest leading 24-17.

Second Half Shutdown

Whatever adjustments NC State made at halftime proved decisive. The Wolfpack defense, which had allowed 252 passing yards and 59 rushing yards in the first half, completely stifled Wake Forest's offensive attack over the final two quarters.

NC State tied the game at 24-24 with 6:22 left in the third quarter when Bailey found Joly again, this time from four yards out. The eight-play, 70-yard drive marked Joly's second touchdown of the game and first multi-touchdown performance of his career.

The Wolfpack took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter when Bailey connected with wide receiver Keenan Jackson on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 12:37 remaining. The five-play, 70-yard drive put NC State ahead 31-24, a lead they would maintain for the remainder of the contest.

Vinesett added an insurance field goal from 38 yards with 6:19 left in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 34-24. The kick capped an eight-play, 32-yard drive that effectively sealed the victory.

Wake Forest's final drive ended when defensive back Ronnie Royal III intercepted Ashford with 5:02 remaining, his first career interception. The turnover came at a crucial moment as Wake Forest was attempting to mount a comeback drive.

Smothers Powers Ground Game

NC State's rushing attack, led by Smothers, proved to be the difference in the second half. Smothers carried 24 times for 164 yards, establishing a new career high and marking the most rushing yards by an NC State running back since Reggie Gallaspy's 220-yard performance in 2018.

The Wolfpack finished with 205 rushing yards on 44 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. Smothers' performance included a crucial 42-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up NC State's go-ahead touchdown.

Bailey, meanwhile, continued his efficient play by completing 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. It marked the second consecutive game without a turnover for the NC State offense.

Defensive Turnaround

NC State's defensive transformation between halves proved to be the game's defining factor. After allowing Wake Forest to accumulate 267 total yards in the first half, the Wolfpack defense held the Demon Deacons to just 44 yards over the final 30 minutes.

The statistics tell the story of the shutdown: Wake Forest managed only two first downs in the second half and failed to sustain any meaningful drives. NC State's defense recorded two interceptions on the night, with Shirley's pick-six in the first quarter and Royal's game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.

Wake Forest quarterback Ashford, who threw for 252 yards in the game, completed 21 of 35 passes but was intercepted twice and sacked twice. The Demon Deacons' rushing attack, led by Claiborne's 35 yards on 12 carries, managed just 59 total yards on the ground.

Wake Forest's Bright Spots

Despite the loss, Wake Forest received standout performances from several players. Barnes finished with 177 all-purpose yards, including his 98-yard kickoff return touchdown and 76 receiving yards. The performance marked the second consecutive game in which Barnes exceeded 100 all-purpose yards.

Claiborne scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season on the one-yard run in the first quarter, moving within one touchdown of tying Cade Carney's program record of 21 career rushing touchdowns in the College Football Playoff era.

Senior safety Nick Andersen led Wake Forest's defensive effort with 11 tackles, marking the seventh time in his career he has recorded double-digit tackles. Junior linebacker Dylan Hazen added nine tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.

Special Teams Impact

Special teams played a significant role throughout the contest. Beyond Barnes' opening kickoff return touchdown, both teams' kicking games proved reliable. Vinesett was perfect on the night for NC State, converting field goals from 24 and 38 yards, while Calvert connected on his lone field goal attempt from 28 yards for Wake Forest.

NC State's punt coverage was particularly effective, with punter Caden Noonkester averaging 40 yards on five attempts while placing two punts inside the 20-yard line.

Looking Forward

The victory moves NC State to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, extending their early-season momentum. The comeback win demonstrated the Wolfpack's resilience and ability to make crucial adjustments, qualities that could prove valuable as conference play intensifies.

For Wake Forest, the loss drops them to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in ACC play. Despite the disappointing result, the Demon Deacons showed offensive explosiveness in the first half and will look to build on those positive elements moving forward.

The rivalry game lived up to its billing as the longest continuous rivalry in the ACC, with both teams combining for 58 points and nearly 720 total yards of offense. NC State's victory moves the all-time series record to 70-43-6 in favor of the Wolfpack and improves Dave Doeren's record against Wake Forest to 7-6.

The road victory in Winston-Salem represents more than just another win for NC State – it demonstrates the team's maturity and championship potential as they navigate their ACC schedule. With Bailey's steady leadership, Smothers' explosive running ability, and a defense capable of second-half shutouts, the Wolfpack appear poised for a successful conference campaign.

Key Performers

NC State:

• Hollywood Smothers: 24 carries, 164 yards rushing (career high)
• CJ Bailey: 23/32, 201 yards passing, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
• Justin Joly: 4 receptions, 22 yards, 2 TDs
• Isaiah Shirley: 1 interception returned 41 yards for TD
• Kanoah Vinesett: 2/2 field goals (24, 38 yards)

Wake Forest:

• Chris Barnes: 177 all-purpose yards (98-yard KR TD, 76 receiving yards)
• Robby Ashford: 21/35, 252 yards passing, 2 rushing TDs, 2 INTs
• Demond Claiborne: 12 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD; 8 receptions, 33 yards
• Nick Andersen: 11 tackles
• Dylan Hazen: 9 tackles, 3.5 TFL