Lopez’s commanding debut powers Wake Forest past Akron
Gio Lopez threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in his first start for the Demon Deacons, securing a 38-16 victory over the Zips in the season opener.
Gio Lopez established an immediate presence in his debut as Wake Forest’s starting quarterback, guiding the Demon Deacons to a 38-16 victory over Akron in their season opener on Thursday night. The performance marked a significant step forward for the program, which is entering its second year under head coach Jake Dickert after a nine-win debut season.
Lopez completed 17 of 25 passes for 313 yards and all three of his touchdowns by halftime. His opening drive concluded with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Kam Shanks, setting the tone for a dominant first half. He subsequently connected with Louisville transfer Antonio Meeks for a 72-yard score and Carlos Hernandez for a 78-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-0 before the break.
The offensive line and running game provided additional support, with Ty Clark III rushing for 105 yards on just seven carries. Wake Forest accumulated a total of 559 yards in the contest. Hernandez, who finished with five receptions for 165 yards, exited the game before halftime following a jarring hit to the midsection.
On the other side of the ball, Akron’s redshirt freshman quarterback Cibastian Broughton made his college debut. He threw for 111 yards and rushed for 82 more, though the Zips managed only 305 total yards overall. Akron’s first points came via a 28-yard field goal by Matthew Schramm shortly before halftime, while backup quarterback Brayden Roggow added two short touchdown passes late in the game.
The result offers early optimism for Wake Forest, which is projected to finish 13th in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Lopez, the highest-profile recruit among approximately 50 new players added for Dickert’s second year, reunited with offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, a coach under whom he thrived at South Alabama in 2024.
Akron, led by head coach Joe Moorhead in his fifth season, is projected to finish 10th in the 13-team Mid-American Conference. The Zips have yet to post a winning record in Moorhead’s tenure and will next host Robert Morris on 12 September.
