Nov 23, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Jordan Lyle (21) run with the football past Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Dylan Hazen (24) during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No. 8 Miami pulls away late against Wake Forest

Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a TD as No. 8 Miami defeated visiting Wake Forest 42-14 in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.

Miami (10-1, 6-1) can clinch a berth in the ACC championship game against No. 13 SMU by beating host Syracuse next Saturday.

Ward completed 27 of 38 passes as the Hurricanes totaled 508 offensive yards and improved to 6-0 at home. Ward also threw for a two-point conversion and was intercepted once.

Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5) was led by Demond Claiborne, who had 176 all-purpose yards. His biggest play was a 100-yard kickoff return for a score.

However, Claiborne lost a fumble on a fourth-quarter kickoff return.

The Demon Deacons have allowed 30 or more points eight times this season, and they are 1-7 in those games.

Miami entered the game leading the nation in scoring (45.0) and were favored by 23 1/2 points. But Miami didn’t blow the game open until a 22-point fourth quarter.

The Hurricanes led 10-7 after one quarter and 20-14 at halftime. There was no scoring in the third.

Miami scored on the game’s opening possession as Ward passed 13 yards to Jacolby George. That capped a 13-play, 84-yard drive.

Wake tied the score on its first drive as Hank Bachmeier tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Micah Mays Jr. On the TD, Miami let Mays run free, mistakenly thinking they had zone coverage on a crossing pattern.

Miami took a 10-7 lead to close the first quarter as Andres Borregales nailed a 40-yard field goal. Miami had a TD called back on that drive due to offensive pass interference on George.

With 7:50 left in the second quarter, Wake Forest was in Miami territory when safety Mishael Powell blitzed, jumped and intercepted a Bachmeier pass, returning it 76 yards for a TD.

On the next play, Wake Forest closed its deficit to 17-14 on the kickoff return by Claiborne, who made one great fake and darted to his left, outrunning Miami.

The Hurricanes, on the last scrimmage play of the first half, got a 25-yard field by Borregales.

Wake Forest’s defense created an opportunity in the third as Restrepo fumbled and the ball was recovered by Branson Combs at Miami’s 33. However, Wake Forest was driven back and punted on fourth-and-33.

With 7:58 left in the fourth, Ward scored on a 1-yard QB sneak. Ward then tossed to Elijah Arroyo for a two-point conversion and a 28-14 lead.

After Claiborne’s fumble, Miami freshman Jordan Lyle ran for an 18-yard touchdown.

Lyle, who didn’t play until the fourth quarter, finished with a game-high 115 rushing yards on just seven carries.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell (12) dives for a touchdown as Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Zamari Stevenson (17) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Omarion Hampton’ record-setting night carries UNC

North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton ran for a career-high 244 yards and a touchdown, Power Echols returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown and the Tar Heels made enough big plays to defeat visiting Wake Forest 31-24 on Saturday night at Chapel Hill, N.C.

Jacolby Criswell ran for a touchdown and threw for a score to help North Carolina (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) to its third consecutive victory.

Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4) has lost back-to-back games, dropping a road game for the first time in four trips this year despite running back Demond Claiborne running for two touchdowns and 95 yards.

Starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier was replaced in the second half by Michael Kern, but the switch didn’t work out as Kern threw two interceptions and lost a fourth-quarter fumble.

Trailing 24-17, Wake Forest force a punt and took the ball over with 5:40 to play. Two plays later, Joshua Harris’ sack of Kern forced a fumble that was recovered by Travis Shaw at the Demon Deacons’ 18. From there, Hampton carried on five consecutive plays, the final one a 6-yard TD run.

Kern hit Taylor Morin for a 16-yard touchdown play with 1:15 left to make it a one-score game but Wake never got the ball back.

Hampton, who had 35 carries, set a team record with eight consecutive games of 100 or more rushing yards.

Criswell threw 15 yards to JJ Jones in the back of the end zone to snap a 10-10 tie with 9:26 left in the third quarter.

Echols’ momentum-shifting play off Kern’s throw extended North Carolina’s lead to 24-10 before the midway mark of the third.

Claiborne ran for TDs in the third quarter from 2 and 7 yards out.

North Carolina, which had been 0-2 in ACC home games, came up empty in the first quarter even though Hampton reached the 100-yard rushing mark. Noah Burnette clanked a 34-yard field-goal attempt off the upright on the Tar Heels’ second drive. Wake Forest scored first on Matthew Dennis’ 33-yard field goal on the next drive.

The Tar Heels have won four consecutive meetings in the series.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA;  Connecticut Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano (2) runs the ball against the Temple Owls in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

After bye week, UConn looks to stay hot vs. Wake Forest

Connecticut had a week off going into its game against Wake Forest. That might add to the Huskies’ energy when they face the Demon Deacons on Saturday in East Hartford, Conn.

Connecticut (4-2) is riding a three-game winning streak.

“I haven’t felt that our team has been fatigued,” Huskies coach Jim Mora said. “I think our team did a good job this whole offseason of pushing and building some endurance. I think that’s going to help us down the stretch.”

Wake Forest (2-4) leaves the state of North Carolina for the first time this season.

The Demon Deacons have defeated only one Football Bowl Subdivision team in 2024.

“You have to ignore their record and look at the way they play on film,” Mora said. “They’ve got experience at a key position, which is quarterback. Hank Bachmeier, who I actually recruited when I was at UCLA. He has got a lot of snaps, very experienced.”

Mora has a photo of him posing with Bachmeier, who’s in his first season with the Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest was roughed up by No. 10 Clemson on Saturday, losing 49-14 at home.

“We have a chance to have a good year,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “We’re sitting here 2-4 and lost to two top 10 teams and lost two one-score games.”

UConn hasn’t played since a 29-20 victory against visiting Temple on Oct. 5. The extra time off before facing Wake Forest likely will be helpful for the Huskies.

The Demon Deacons’ unorthodox offense will provide a different challenge for UConn’s defense.

“It is very tough to prepare for. It’s very meshed up,” Mora said. “You have to be patient, but you can’t play on your heels.”

Wake Forest is 18-7 in non-conference games in the past six years, though the Demon Deacons have lost their two most recent games to out-of-league foes by falling to Mississippi and Louisiana.

“They’ve done a great job of flipping it around from last year,” Clawson said of the Huskies, who went 3-9 in 2023. “They look like a Power 4 football team.”

Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano has thrown for 11 touchdowns with three interceptions and sits at 999 passing yards for the season.

There could be some more wrinkles to the Huskies’ offense. That doesn’t necessarily mean new plays.

“You’re always manipulating them every week,” Mora said. “You’re trying to hide things that you do by formation, by motion, by personnel group.”

UConn has won its past five home games dating to last season. The teams haven’t met since Wake Forest won 24-10 in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) makes a scoring catch against Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Jamare Glasker (25) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

No. 10 Clemson extends win streak against Wake Forest to 16

Cade Klubnik fired three touchdown passes and No. 10 Clemson’s defense notched a pair of second-quarter interceptions in a convincing 49-14 romp over host Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Klubnik completed 31 of 41 passes for 309 yards, while running back Phil Mafah racked up 118 rushing yards and two touchdown runs.

The Tigers (5-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won five in a row as they’ve risen in the polls.

Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who was replaced midway through the third quarter, had two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He was 12-for-21 for 126 yards.

The Demon Deacons (2-4, 1-2) were unable to build on a fourth-quarter comeback win last week at North Carolina State. They’ve lost four consecutive home games.

Clemson has won 16 straight games in the series.

Clemson scored touchdowns on four consecutive first-half possessions for a 28-14 halftime lead. The last of those scores came on Klubnik’s 8-yard dart to Troy Stellato, who made his first TD grab of the season.

The Tigers scored 14 more points in the first eight minutes of the second half, including receiver Antonio Williams connecting on a 28-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Briningstool.

Wake Forest struck first, going ahead on its third possession when Bachmeier delivered a 31-yard pass to Horatio Fields with 1:32 to play in the opening quarter. It marked the first points scored against Clemson in the first quarter this season.

The Tigers struck back on the ensuing possession, with Klubnik throwing 22 yards on third down to Williams for a touchdown.

Clemson was back in business two snaps later when Kylon Griffin picked off Bachmeier and returned the ball to the Wake Forest 23. The Tigers cashed in two plays later when Phil Mafah plowed in on a 1-yard run.

Following Khalil Barnes’ interception, it took longer for Clemson to reach the end zone, on Mafah’s 2-yard, fourth-down run to complete a nine-play, 57-yard march for a 21-7 lead.

Wake Forest reclaimed momentum on Bachmeier’s 6-yard TD flip to Michael Frogge, a redshirt junior who made his first career catch and cut the deficit to 21-14 with 3:17 left in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Justin Cody (11) and players tackle North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) during the first half of the game against at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Demond Claiborne (3 TDs), Wake Forest rally past NC State

Demond Claiborne’s third touchdown of the game came on a 3-yard run with 1:01 remaining and Wake Forest rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat host North Carolina State 34-30 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Saturday afternoon at Raleigh, N.C.

Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1 ACC) converted two fourth-down plays on the 13-play, 65-yard winning drive, ending a three-game losing streak.

CJ Bailey threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role, but NC State (3-3) remained without back-to-back victories this year.

NC State quarterback Grayson McCall left in the first quarter after a scary hit that resulted in him strapped to a board and carted off the field. He raised his hand slightly to acknowledge the crowd as he was leaving the field.

Hank Bachmeier threw for two touchdowns and 154 yards for Wake Forest. Clairborne gained 136 yards on 20 carries with two rushing touchdowns and a TD catch.

Bailey was intercepted by Branson Combs on the first play after Wake Forest went ahead in the fourth.

Wake Forst committed turnovers on its first two second-half possessions, but the Wolfpack failed to capitalize. The Demon Deacons went up 20-16 on Matthew Dennis’ 41-yard field goal in the third quarter.

NC State’s Kendrick Raphael ran 20 yards for a go-ahead touchdown later in the third. Less than two minutes into the fourth, Bailey’s 22-yard pass to Justin Joly gave the Wolfpack a two-possession lead for the first time.

McCall, in his first game after a 2 1/2-game injury absence, exited after absorbing a vicious hit as he scrambled on the Wolfpack’s first possession. Multiple Demon Deacons converged on McCall, with his helmet and the fumble popping loose. Wake Forest’s Evan Slocum made an 88-yard return on the fumble to the Wolfpack 2-yard line as NC State medical staff rushed onto the field to tend to McCall.

McCall is in his first Wolfpack season after a record-setting career with Coastal Carolina, where he experienced a history of concussions.

Wake Forest converted the game’s first turnover into Claiborne’s 3-yard touchdown catch from Bachmeier and a 10-0 lead.

NC State recovered to take the lead with two 35-yard field goals from Kanoah Vinesett and Bailey’s 9-yard pass to Keenan Jackson.

The Demon Deacons were back in front on Horatio Fields’ 23-yard touchdown grab from Bachmeier and held a 17-16 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (16) looks for an opening for a throw against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

NC State braces for stern test from Wake Forest

North Carolina State will make another attempt to stack victories together when it hosts struggling Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Raleigh, N.C.

The Atlantic Coast Conference matchup between in-state rivals is a chance for the Wolfpack to start looking like a top-notch team.

“We’ve got seven games with two bye weeks and two months,” North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren said of the remaining slate. “It’s going to go really fast. We’ve got to stay really mission-focused on the day we’re in and have a great week of practice.”

The Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1) will aim to gain back-to-back victories for the first time this season after topping visiting Northern Illinois 24-17 last week.

Wake Forest (1-3, 0-1) has a three-game losing streak as it prepares for its first road game of the year. Last week’s 41-38 loss to Louisiana came with some offensive highlights for the Demon Deacons, but too many glitches.

“We just have to keep these guys together and make sure they keep improving and keep working, and stick together,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said.

The Demon Deacons are 1-3 for the first time in 11 seasons under Clawson.

The Wolfpack will identify areas to exploit. Doeren said it won’t be easy facing a team that has caused trouble for North Carolina State at inopportune times.

“You know who you’re getting,” Doeren said. “You’re getting a team that plays really hard, really fundamentally sound, that knows what their systems are, do a good job of punching the ball out on defense. They’re going to be in the places you think they’re going to be.”

Wake Forest has scored at least 30 points in three of its four games this season.

Meanwhile, North Carolina State’s offense has yet to fully roll. Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey will be set for his third consecutive start unless Grayson McCall is back to action following an injury three weeks ago.

Doeren said he would like to see more efficiency from other offensive players to boost Bailey.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re not beating ourselves,” Doeren said. “There’s no doubt CJ has great energy. That kid has that every single day. I appreciate that about him.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;  Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Dave Clawson reacts after a call during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Wake Forest looks to bounce back vs. Louisiana

Wake Forest had an unusually early open date last weekend, providing perhaps unwanted extra time to prepare for its upcoming home game against Louisiana on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Demon Deacons (1-2) have an opportunity to move past consecutive losses to Virginia and Ole Miss, which was ranked No. 5 at the time, against the Sun Belt Conference’s Ragin’ Cajuns (2-1).

“When you’re not playing well, you want that feeling out of your stomach,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said, “and when you are playing well you want to keep playing.”

The Deacons, who began the season with a 45-13 victory against FCS opponent North Carolina A&T, played Virginia to the wire in a 31-30 loss but wasn’t competitive in a 40-6 loss to Ole Miss.

Clawson, in his 11th season at Wake Forest, is trying to get his program to bounce back from a 4-8 season a year ago, which was its worst record since 2015.

“I think we have a good team,” Clawson said. “I think we have a better team than a year ago, but I think this is a team that will have a lot of one-score games. This week’s game will probably be one of those games.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns are coming off a one-score game, a 41-33 home defeat against Tulane last week. They are finishing their nonconference schedule before playing eight consecutive games in the Sun Belt.

“We need to hit our stride going into conference play,” Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux said. “We’ve got to get things corrected and we’ve got to get back on track and get back in the win column.”

The Cajuns outgained the Green Wave 421-355 but allowed touchdowns on an interception return and a kickoff return.

Ben Wooldridge completed just 19 of 34 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including the pick-six right before halftime.

“We need to get back to being more efficient in the throwing game than we were last week,” Desormeaux said.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scores a touchdown past Richmond Spiders linebacker Wayne Galloway (9) and Spiders defensive back Bryson Parker (4) during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Virginia vies for another fast start in game vs. Wake Forest

Two of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s worst teams from a season ago will seek a fresh start in league play when Virginia visits Wake Forest on Saturday night in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Demon Deacons finished last with a 1-7 record in the ACC in 2023, just behind the Cavaliers and two other schools at 2-6.

Both Virginia and Wake Forest are coming off season-opening wins against FCS opponents last Saturday, with Wake Forest rolling over North Carolina A&T 45-13 and Virginia beating Richmond 34-13.

The Cavaliers are looking for their first 2-0 start under third-year coach Tony Elliott, who expects a tough challenge from Demon Deacons coach Dave Clawson’s squad.

“We get to evaluate where we are because they play extremely hard, and they’re very, very well-coached,” Elliott said. “(Those) guys have a lot of confidence and they understand the identity of who they are, and those are all things that we’re trying to establish here.”

Virginia scored on its first five possessions against Richmond. Anthony Colandrea completed 17 of 23 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score. Kobe Pace gained 144 yards from scrimmage and rushed for a TD, and Malachi Fields caught five passes for 100 yards.

Defensively, the Cavaliers collected seven tackles for loss, recovered a fumble and allowed the Spiders to convert only 3 of 15 chances on third down.

Wake Forest trailed North Carolina A&T 10-7 early in the second quarter before ripping off 31 unanswered points. Hank Bachmeier threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, and Demond Claiborne rushed for 135 yards and a TD. Taylor Morin gained 100 yards on six receptions and added a 73-yard punt-return TD.

Clawson was not as pleased with his team’s defensive effort, however.

“I thought we missed a lot of tackles, which sometimes happens in Game 1,” he said. “That’s something we got to get cleaned up.”

Wake Forest is 3-0 against Virginia since Clawson became the coach in 2014. The Demon Deacons have won the last five meetings overall, with the Cavaliers’ most recent victory coming in 2007.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Schrader (6) drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Shrader shines as Syracuse tops Wake Forest

Garrett Shrader had three touchdown passes and a rushing score Saturday as Syracuse topped visiting Wake Forest 35-31 in the regular-season finale for both Atlantic Coast Conference teams.

In its first game since firing coach Dino Babers, Syracuse (6-6, 2-6 ACC) gained bowl eligibility under the guidance of interim coach Nunzio Campanile. Jason Simmons Jr. intercepted Demon Deacons quarterback Michael Kern in the end zone with two minutes left to essentially clinch the victory.

Shrader finished 10 of 15 for 173 yards with 46 more yards on the ground. Orange tight end Dan Villari caught a touchdown and passed for a score, while Damien Alford had 126 receiving yards and caught two TDs and LeQuint Allen ran for 144 yards.

Kern went 17 of 24 for 261 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for Wake Forest (4-8, 1-7). Taylor Morin caught seven passes for 140 yards, while Wesley Grimes had two TD grabs.

The Orange opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on Shrader’s 35-yard pass to Alford. The Demon Deacons answered promptly as Kern’s 48-yard pass to Morin set up a 16-yard pass to Grimes to draw the visitors even.

Shrader’s 1-yard TD plunge early in the second quarter regained a 14-7 lead for Syracuse. However, Wake Forest drove down the field for a 36-yard field goal by Tyler Black.

The Orange had a chance to extend their advantage in the waning seconds of the first half, but Shrader hit Allen inbounds, short of the end zone, and the remaining seconds ticked off.

Early in the third quarter, Villari threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Alford, who got behind the defense for a 21-10 advantage.

Justice Ellison’s 2-yard TD run got Wake Forest within four points, but Syracuse restored an 11-point cushion on Villari’s one-handed touchdown grab from Shrader early in the fourth.

On the next Wake Forest play, Kern hit Morin for 59 yards, setting up his 16-yard scoring strike to Jahmal Banks on the next snap.

The teams exchanged touchdowns again later in the fourth – Shrader’s 37-yard pass to Umari Hatcher, followed by Kern’s 9-yard TD pass to Grimes – setting up the exciting finish.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Sam Hartman (10) throws the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter of their game at Notre Dame Stadium.

No. 19 Notre Dame limps into meeting with Wake Forest

While the hopes of playing for a national championship evaporated weeks ago, No. 19 Notre Dame still believes it has plenty to play for on Saturday afternoon against visiting Wake Forest at South Bend, Ind.

“We have a shot to send the seniors out the right way,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said in advance of the final home game of the season. “That’s our motivation. We know Wake Forest will be motivated. This team will be ready to go. They will come in knowing they have to win to become bowl eligible. We know we have a challenge in front of us.”

The challenge not only will come from Wake Forest, but also replacing several key players who are sidelined with injuries.

Notre Dame (7-3) most recently lost players on the offensive line during a 31-23 loss at Clemson on Saturday.

Rocco Spindler went down with a knee injury and the right guard is out for the season. Starting center Zeke Correll is in concussion protocol and his backup, Andrew Kristofic, went down with a high ankle sprain.

Billy Schrauth is expected to start at guard against Wake Forest and Ashton Craig will remain at center after finishing Saturday’s game.

“Ashton Craig did a really good job filling in at the center position,” Freeman said. “I was really impressed with what he did.”

The Fighting Irish lost safety Luke Talich to a broken collarbone during practice last week, while wide receivers Deion Colzie, Jayden Thomas and Matt Salerno remain sidelined.

Complicating things even more for Notre Dame is the slow mesh offensive system that the Demon Deacons run, a complicated system of run-pass options that can leave a defense spinning.

“How do you defend it?” Freeman said. “Linebackers attack and then create open areas behind you. They are really good to answer when you react to their system. It’s not the triple option, but it’s a system and they have answers. We have to be aggressive though and that is important.”

Wake Forest (4-6) got off to a promising 3-0 start but has dropped six of its last seven games. The Demon Deacons most recently fell to visiting North Carolina State, 26-6 on Saturday.

“It was not even a competitive football game,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “It’s on me. It’s Game 10 and to show up like that is very disappointing.”

Wake Forest switched quarterbacks in the second quarter last week and Michael Kern led the Demon Deacons to their only touchdown, but he was then picked off on the two-point try and that was returned for two points the other way.

The rushing attack was even more shackled, as Wake Forest combined for seven net yards on 18 carries.

“On offense, right now, we’re broken,” Clawson said. “This isn’t anything like the offense that was put out there the last six years. I should have had us in a better spot with some of the personnel losses we had. We’re not getting the most out of these guys. I think we have good players, but they’re not playing well and it all boils down to coaching.”

–Field Level Media