Wake Forest Demon Deacons
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By: Stephen Czarda & KJ Smith
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Powered by a stellar performance by wide receiver Carlos Hernandez, the Wake Forest football team (3-1, 1-1 ACC) earned a ranked road win in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1975 and 1976 seasons as it upset No. 16 Louisville (2-2, 1-1 ACC) by a final score of 30-27 on Saturday afternoon at L&N Stadium.
HOW BOUT THOSE DEACS 🎩 pic.twitter.com/c77puHiv9f
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
Hernandez finished the game with nine catches for 194 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter. Notably, the Alhambra, Calif., native’s 194 receiving yards is tied for the fifth most receiving yards in a single game in program history.
The play to seal it 🚫 https://t.co/s4dbmWP9qG pic.twitter.com/8iUnIrogWT
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
Through the opening four games, Hernandez leads the ACC with 516 receiving yards. Additionally, the senior is one of four players in the FBS to log over 40 catches and 700 receiving yards since Nov. 15, 2025.
Make the call, @Hernandez8K 🤙
📺 ESPN https://t.co/cRsj1EXDyk pic.twitter.com/MLwbIwElJZ
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
Quarterback Gio Lopez continued his hot start to the season as he went 12-of-19 for 225 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. Lopez has thrown for 1,112 yards this season, which currently ranks third in the ACC.
+20 into the red zone, +6 into the end zone 📈
📺 ESPN https://t.co/itls7oyCad pic.twitter.com/4COY3RSZlJ
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
Running back Ty Clark III powered the Wake Forest rushing attack as he tallied 91 yards on 21 attempts. Clark also tallied a pair of rushing touchdowns for his first multi-touchdown game of his career.
.@SomadEaddy=playmaker 🧨 pic.twitter.com/buCjkK3q5B
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
Defensively, the Deacs were led by linebacker Aiden Hall, who finished the game with 11 tackles, including four solo efforts. Meanwhile, defensive back Somad Eaddy recorded a breakout game, totaling seven tackles with six solo efforts and a tackle for loss, as well as his first career interception.
.@Zachloha with the sack on 3rd down then the Cardinals miss the FG!
Wake 30-27 Louisville pic.twitter.com/TnDN8A4fAP
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
The Demon Deacons put constant pressure on the Louisville backfield, tallying nine tackles for loss and four sacks, including a pair of sacks from defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke. Meanwhile, fellow defensive lineman Langston Hardy added three tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack against the Cardinals.
Back in front 🎩
Wake 27-24 Louisville pic.twitter.com/J7VqwLywzk
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Against the Cardinals, wide receiver Carlos Hernandez finished the game with nine receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown.
The Alhambra, Calif., native’s 194 yards on Saturday is tied for the fifth most in a single game in Wake Forest history.
Ain’t no stoppin’ @KirschkeGabe 😤 pic.twitter.com/PRQAWcZiOT
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
STAGGERING STATISTIC
With the victory, Wake Forest earned its second road victory over a Top 20 opponent in the Jake Dickert era, as the Demon Deacons last year defeated No. 12 Virginia 16-9 at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.
Additionally, this is the fifth win over a ranked opponent as a head coach for Dickert.
Overall, this is Wake Forest’s 19th victory over a Top 20 ranked opponent.
Wake Forest has also now earned a ranked road win in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1975 and 1976 seasons.
The Demon Deacons earned a pair of road victories during the 1979 season as well.
Pride. Response. And never a doubt. 🎩 pic.twitter.com/r7AqZUdcgt
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
FROM COACH DICKERT
“That was an unbelievable performance by our players and our coaches. The adjustments that we made at halftime, especially on the defensive side of the ball, were great. That is a talented quarterback and a talented team, so for our guys to come out in a really tough environment and get the win is incredible. It was so far from perfect. Matter of fact, it was ugly, but it was so beautiful because our guys found a way to win the game. I’m really proud of our whole program. We have a lot to clean up, but we’re going to celebrate this one.”
Postgame vibes 📈📈 pic.twitter.com/BUrgvwjoOo
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 26, 2026
UP NEXT
Wake Forest will open the month of October hosting Stanford next Saturday for a 12-noon kick at Allegacy Financial Stadium for Family Weekend. The game will be televised nationally on the ACC Network.
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