Wake vs. Cal
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By: Stephen Czarda and KJ Smith
BERKELEY, Calif. – Powered by an all-around team performance, the No. 21 Wake Forest football team (6-1, 4-1 ACC) defeated Cal (3-4, 2-2 ACC), 41-7, on Saturday night at Cal Memorial Stadium.
Grateful Deacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/I3YvpNbeSk
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
With Saturday’s victory, the Demon Deacons secured bowl eligibility for the second consecutive season and the 19th time in program history. Additionally, the Deacs have now earned a postseason berth nine times since the 2016 season.
HAT TRICK OF TOUCHDOWNS FOR THE FRESHMAN 🎩🎩🎩
Wake 41-0 Cal pic.twitter.com/NC7v63Dsdt
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Your postseason plans start here! Explore the postseason possibilities for the Deacs, with key dates and details all in one place. View the ACC Championship and bowl schedule below and get excited about postseason football!
🗣️ SACKKKKKK pic.twitter.com/1SN56HN8c8
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Click here to be notified on where and when the Deacs will be playing this postseason and score exclusive bowl priority ticket access.
30 more to play 🎩 pic.twitter.com/pwaJ1zMyKL
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Quarterback Gio Lopez continued his stellar season as he finished the game with 318 total yards against the Golden Bears. Lopez completed 16-of-23 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 51 yards on the ground.
The freshman on the big stage 🎩
📺 ESPN2 https://t.co/kvdPqyghTl pic.twitter.com/ciLaQSTThf
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Tight end Dominick Barry recorded his best game of the season as he totaled four receptions for 103 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first Wake Forest tight end with a 100-yard receiving performance since Cam Serigne hauled in nine passes for 112 yards against Texas A&M on Dec. 29, 2017.
Gio to Dom strikes again 🔥🔥
Wake 34-0 Cal pic.twitter.com/iHBKvv7WPL
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Additionally, the Greenwood, Ind., native is the first Demon Deacon tight end with three receiving touchdowns in a single game since Jake Freudenthal hauled in three touchdowns against NC State on Nov. 2, 2019.
🛑🛑 https://t.co/sZVUlthMnj pic.twitter.com/aIgcC3O2xX
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Elsewhere, wide receiver Jack Foley tallied three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, while fellow wide receiver Kam Shanks notched five catches for 79 yards.
Longest TD run of @TyClarkIII's career 🏃♂️
📺 ESPN2 https://t.co/68G4NtyxXr pic.twitter.com/NdLy4iETLM
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
The Demon Deacons also excelled in the run game, with running backs Jamar Searcy and Ty Clark III both added rushing touchdowns on Saturday.
Touchdown from Oakland's own 🏡
Wake 21-0 Cal
📺 ESPN2 | @JamarSearcy pic.twitter.com/yVUPiw91c8
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Defensively, the Deacs were led by defensive back Myles Turpin, who finished the game with 10 tackles, including three solo efforts and 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of pass breakups. Defensive lineman Langston Hardy continued to put pressure on the Cal backfield, logging three tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack.
They left Jack all alone 😬
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/H9wCWZqYRD
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Freshman tight end Dominick Barry had his best performance of the season, finishing with four receptions for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
He is the first Wake Forest tight end with a 100-yard receiving performance since Cam Serigne hauled in nine passes for 112 yards against Texas A&M on Dec. 29, 2017.
Additionally, he is the first Demon Deacon tight end with three receiving touchdowns in a single game since Jake Freudenthal hauled in three touchdowns against NC State on Nov. 2, 2019.
He is also only the second tight end in FBS this season with three or more touchdowns, joined by Houston’s Patrick Overmyer.
4-for-5 for 99 yards & 1 TD 👀
Have yourself a drive, @lopezgio1! https://t.co/8SYuTOzp7v pic.twitter.com/7xqhVzGjZ3
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
FROM COACH DICKERT
“Really proud of our team. Really proud of our program as a whole. The intensity in which we took the field and in which we prepared showed. I meant it when I said we felt like caged animals being out here and waiting for this football game. Our guys executed the plan. Offensively, Gio Lopez is an absolute stud. He continues to play at a big time level, which is giving us a chance in every game. Defensively, I thought we kept them off balance. It was a complete and dominant win on the road. It’s our fourth Power 4 road win, which is huge for our team. Excited about the bye week and excited about what’s next.”
Couldn't keep up with ya, @DominickBarry10 😤
Wake 7-0 Cal pic.twitter.com/ziFsH14JXM
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
UP NEXT
After its bye week next week, the Demon Deacons return to Allegacy Financial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31 as they host Virginia.
One goal ahead. pic.twitter.com/S3pJvNIj9z
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 18, 2026
Join The Best Fan Experience in North Carolina by purchasing tickets through GoDeacs.com/tickets, by calling (336) 758-3322 or by visiting the Wake Forest Athletic Ticket Office located behind the north end zone of Allegacy Stadium.
godeacs.com
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