Lopez’s four touchdowns lead Wake Forest’s second-half surge past NC State

Wake Forest turned a four-point halftime deficit into a decisive road victory with a third quarter NC State could not answer.

Gio Lopez threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Demon Deacons beat the Wolfpack 38–14 Saturday in Raleigh. Wake Forest scored all 28 of the game's second-half points, including three touchdowns in the third quarter, after trailing 14–10 at the break.

Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards without an interception. Jack Foley caught eight passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Carlos Hernandez finished with 12 catches for 117 yards and another score. Their combined production accounted for 273 of Wake Forest's 303 passing yards.

The game initially looked much closer. Lopez threw a short touchdown pass to Matthew Lusardi on the opening scoring drive, but NC State answered with CJ Bailey's 24-yard touchdown pass to Chance Robinson. The Wolfpack moved ahead in the second quarter when Will Wilson found Hunter Provience for a two-yard score.

Connor Calvert's 23-yard field goal at the end of the half brought Wake Forest within 14–10. The Demon Deacons then took control after the restart, changing the lead and the shape of the game without needing a late comeback.

Lopez found Hernandez for a six-yard touchdown with 10:44 left in the third quarter, putting Wake Forest ahead 17–14. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Foley followed with 7:29 remaining. A one-yard scoring run by Lopez later in the period stretched the advantage to 31–14.

Deuce Lawrence added a 17-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, completing the second-half scoring. Lawrence finished with 46 yards on eight carries. Wake Forest's running game produced only 84 yards overall, but its passing attack and short scoring runs supplied enough points to pull away.

NC State finished with 258 total yards, including just 15 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Bailey completed 28 of 39 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. The Wolfpack's other two passing yards came on Wilson's touchdown throw in the second quarter.

Wake Forest gained 387 total yards and converted seven of 13 third-down attempts. It also converted both of its fourth-down tries and finished without a turnover. NC State converted six of 14 third downs and one of three fourth downs, while losing one fumble.

The final margin reflected an entire half rather than one decisive snap. Wake Forest's three-touchdown third quarter established a lead its defense protected, keeping NC State scoreless through the final 30 minutes.