Photo Courtesy of IBD Photography
0
0
September 6, 2025
Winston Salem, NC-The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0) returned to Allegacy Field on Saturday afternoon playing host to visiting Western Carolina on a beautiful, warm, and sunny day. The Catamounts (0-2) were coming off a tough loss last week in Cullowhee against Gardner-Webb and looking to bounce back. The Deacons fresh off their opening win against Kennesaw St, sought to find some rhythm on offense after struggling to move the ball in their opener.
It didn’t take long for sparks to fly between the two in-state schools as an early lightning delay on the first drive of the game temporarily halted play. After a 2:20 minute delay, play was resumed just before 4:30.
1st Quarter: The Claiborne Show-Wake Forest 21 Western Carolina 0
The delay did not stop the Wake Forest offense as they took the early 7-0 lead on a Robbie Ashford explosive run for a TD. The teams had traded punts for the better part of the first quarter until Ashford got loose for the score. The Demon Deacon defense continued its strong play to begin the season holding the Catamounts scoreless in the first quarter with a smothering run defense that saw the Wake defenders in the opponent’s backfield for much of the quarter. The Wake offense stayed hot on the very next drive as Demond Claiborne earned his first TD run on the 2025 season. Claiborne bounced one to the outside of the Catamount defense for a 33-yard touchdown run to give the Deacons a quick 13-0 lead with just over 3 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
Zamari Stevenson would give the Wake offense the ball back on the very next Catamount possessuon intercepting a pass in the middle of field giving the Deacs the ball in plus territory. Demond Claiborne wasted no time extending the lead to 19-0 with his second rushing TD of the season on the first play of the drive. Claiborne burst through a huge hole on the left side of the line and showed his lightning quick speed outrunning the Catamount defense. Claiborne, who was limited week 1, showed why he was a preseason All-ACC 1st team candidate showing off his amazing quickness and vision on the explosive run. Wake Forest would add a safety at the end of the quarter off a botched snap by the Catamounts offense with the ball exiting the back of the endzone as Wake extended their lead to 3 touchdowns.
Not to be outdone by the Wake Offense in the first quarter, the Demon Deacon continued to suffocate the Catamounts with their consistent pressure off the edge leading to several sacks and tackles for loss. Numerous members of the Black and Gold found themselves in position to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. The Demon Deacon defense followed up their impressive performance in week 1 with an equally dominate opening quarter. The delay did not seem to affect a defense that has been flying to the football in the early part of the season.
2nd Quarter
The Catamounts began the opening drive of the quarter with their first scoring drive of the game spanning over 8 minutes. The drive was aided by 2 personal foul penalties giving Western Carolina 2 first downs. The Wake Forest defense would hold up inside the 10-yard line forcing the Catamounts to settle for a field goal with the Deacons still holding the 21-3 lead with 5:46 left in the half. The Demon Deacons follow-up drive ended with a Catamount blocked field.
A quick 3 and out by the Catamounts gave Wake the football back with 3:20 left in the half. After a promising start to the drive, the Deacons would turn the ball over for the first time in the game as a bad snap over the QB gave Western the football back in plus territory. The Catamounts though would be unable to take advantage ending their drive with a turnover on downs.
The Wake Forest offense was led by Demond Claiborne and his 7 carries for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns in the half, and freshman wide receiver Chris Barnes showed off his speed as well grabbing 5 catches for 122 yards. The Deacon skill players would prove too much early on in the game for the Catamount defense.
2nd Half- Act 2 of The Claiborne Show
The second half would be more of the same for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons offense. Demond Claiborne continued his amazing night on the ground with 3 more carries in the 2nd half for 99 more yards. Claiborne would add an 83-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter for his 3rd rushing score of the night. He would finish the game with 10 carries for 193 yards and 3 TDs.
Robbie Ashford threw his first touchdown pass on the night in the 3rd quarter on his way to a 13/22 night. Ashford would finish another efficient night passing and running the ball finishing the night with 293 total yards and 2 total touchdowns. The Deacon offense looked much more efficient with an effective running game a week after not having Claiborne for most of the game.
Wake Forest will return home next week as they play host to Big 4 opponent NC State (2-0) on ESPN Thursday night. The Deacons will be tested with their first ACC opponent. The Deacons will enjoy this night though as their star returned to center stage.
About the Author
