Wake Forest Preview (Game One)

[catdaddyp]

Wake surprised and won 9 games last season, though they may be hard-pressed to replicate that success in 2026. In the off-season, the staff targeted older transfers—with experience—in an attempt to create a more veteran team.

 

QB:

UNC/South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez will take the reins of the offense in 2026. He’s completed nearly 66% of his passes for 4,781 yards and 32 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions in his collegiate career. However, he can be feast or famine at times. For example, in Wake’s last scrimmage, he completed nine straight passes before proceeding to go 3 of 15 with two interceptions to close out the scrimmage.

Edge: Wake

 

RB:

Junior Ty Clark is the expected starter after collecting 323 yards and 3 touchdowns last year—including a performance of 91 rushing and 73 receiving yards in the bowl game.

Edge: Akron

 

WR:

Carlos Hernandez is on several All-ACC preseason teams as a receiver and/or kick returner. The senior had 40 receptions for 611 yards and 3 touchdowns last season—including a 93-yard touchdown reception. Rice transfer Drayden Dickmann and Louisville transfer Antonio Meeks should be the other starters.

Edge: Akron

 

TE:

Senior Kamrean Johnson should step into the starter role after being the primary backup in 2025.

Edge: Even

 

OL:

Only one starter returns from last year, and he has been working with the second unit—at a different position than he played last year. Wake will likely roll out three FCS transfers, a transfer from Oregon State, and a second-year player along the starting OL. Holding penalties have apparently been an issue with this new group during camp.

Edge: Even

 

DE:

Redshirt seniors Langston Hardy and Gabe Kirschke provide a legitimate pass rush off the edge. The duo combined for 12 sacks in 2025, with Hardy also listed on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watchlist.

Edge: Wake

 

DT:

Weber State transfer Matt Herron, former Idaho transfer Dallas Afalava, and redshirt senior Zach Lohavichan will receive the majority of snaps on the interior of the defensive line.

Edge: Wake

 

LB:

Senior Aiden Hall returns as one starting linebacker and is on several All-ACC preseason teams after amassing 73 total tackles in 2025. He will be flanked by redshirt sophomore Frank Cusano, who collected 45 total tackles last season.

Edge: Wake

 

CB:

FIU transfer and former CUSA Honorable Mention Duece Blades will start at one corner. Redshirt senior Ashaad Williams, who played in four games last year, is expected to start opposite Blades.

Edge: Wake

 

S:

Redshirt junior Davaughn Patterson resumes his role as a starter, where he had 80 total tackles and 9 passes defended and has been named to several All-ACC preseason teams. Braylon Johnson is also back as a returning starter after collecting 38 total tackles last season. Redshirt sophomore Rushaun Tongue should fill in at the other safety spot.

Edge: Wake

 

ST:

Connor Calvert returns after going 18 of 22 on field goals and 32 of 33 on extra points. Australian freshman Ethan Hyams will likely take over punting duties.

Edge: Wake

 

 

Prediction:

I’m sticking with my original preseason prediction and going with a loss here. I didn’t feel great about our rebuilt OL versus Wake’s DL before, and now that issue will likely be compounded with a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Hopefully, Broughton can offset his inexperience with some natural playmaking ability.

 

I am anxious to see how our DL fares against Wake’s OL. I think this is an area where we could hold our own. However, our linebacking corps could offset this line of thinking.

 

Edited 12 hours ago by catdaddyp

[GP1]

I expect a close, low scoring game. Wake has left the door open for teams like App State, Kennesaw State, etc to win late against them but they didn't. I'm expecting something similar to happen because that's just what they do. 

 

However, NC State once left the door open for Akron to win in Raleigh, and they did. 

 

Never be surprised when an ACC team loses. 

 

Wake Forest 20

Akron 14

[MangoZip]

I’d really like to be more optimistic about this game but I just can’t bring myself to do it. It certainly appears that we will be starting a QB that will be making his first college start, away, against a P4 opponent - not a good recipe for success. Combine that with a very suspect defense and it could be a long day for the Zips. The key to this game will be the Zips ability to run the ball. If they can do this it will protect the qb and keep the Wake offense off the field. Even if this happens I still think Wake will have enough big plays to win this game. Wake 31 Akron 13. 😢

[exit322]

8 minutes ago, MangoZip said:

I’d really like to be more optimistic about this game but I just can’t bring myself to do it. It certainly appears that we will be starting a QB that will be making his first college start, away, against a P4 opponent - not a good recipe for success. Combine that with a very suspect defense and it could be a long day for the Zips. The key to this game will be the Zips ability to run the ball. If they can do this it will protect the qb and keep the Wake offense off the field. Even if this happens I still think Wake will have enough big plays to win this game. Wake 31 Akron 13. 😢

 

It appears our coaching staff wasn't smart enough to see if their star QB transfer had actual eligibility.  Why would you be optimistic?

Edited 8 hours ago by exit322

[GP1]

35 minutes ago, MangoZip said:

I’d really like to be more optimistic about this game but I just can’t bring myself to do it. It certainly appears that we will be starting a QB that will be making his first college start, away, against a P4 opponent - not a good recipe for success. Combine that with a very suspect defense and it could be a long day for the Zips. The key to this game will be the Zips ability to run the ball. If they can do this it will protect the qb and keep the Wake offense off the field. Even if this happens I still think Wake will have enough big plays to win this game. Wake 31 Akron 13. 😢

I understand the pessimism. 

 

What I hope fans understand is there is a big difference between an ACC team that finishes 4-4 in conference at the bottom of the middle third of the conference and a similar finishing Big Ten or SEC school. The gap between a team like Wake and a high level MAC school isn't that great. While Akron isn't a high level MAC program, we are a middle of the pack MAC school. 

 

Anything can happen, but I don't see Akron getting blown out. 

[GP1]

https://mozelles.com/ One of the best restaurants I the Southeast. Breakfast and lunch. Even if you are staying uptown, you'll have to drive. It's close, but not a walk I would make this time of year. 

 

https://andrewsrestaurantsws.com/young-cardinal/ One of my all time favorite breakfast places. Get the sausage gravy as a side in place of potatoes and pour it over the biscuit they give you. Uptown. 

 

https://www.foothillsbrewing.com/welcome/?returnUrl=https://www.foothillsbrewing.com/

If you are staying at the Courtyard uptown, take 20 steps to the right and you'll be there. I'm not a craft beer person, but I do think this is one of the best in NC. 

 

https://www.smallbatchws.com/ I don't like bourbon, but the burgers here are great. It's by the big Marriott uptown. 

 

https://www.villagetavern.com/. Cool place at Reynolda Village. Not in the city. Close to campus. 

 

Thirsty Pallet is an uptown dive bar. I love the place. Walkable from anywhere uptown. 

 

Tailgating food: Mountain Fried Chicken. Close to the stadium. You can't go wrong with a fried chicken shop that has the tagline "It Ain't Greasy". 

 

If you get sucked into the whole Lexington BBQ thing, remember to get it sliced, not chopped. 

 

Someone mentioned they were staying at the Courtyard by the stadium. Pickings a slim, but Putters is a good choice. If you are parking at the basketball arena and not tailgating, but want some drinks, Putters is close. https://www.putterspatioandgrill.com/

 

If you want to see some shops in natural setting Reynolda Village is good but you have to drive to it. Trade Street has some shops you could look at. The Learfield Radio studio is on Trade Street and on Saturdays you can watch the guys do highlights. 

 

If you are a student and want to be around people your age, take an Uber to Burke Street Pub. That area is where the students go. Do us all a favor and clean yourself up when you go. Represent well. I've been at this place on a Friday night. The girls dress and look unlike what you see in Akron. They are rich kids who look rich and dress like rich kids. Don't be a slob. 

[AkronAlumnus]

1 hour ago, GP1 said:

https://mozelles.com/ One of the best restaurants I the Southeast. Breakfast and lunch. Even if you are staying uptown, you'll have to drive. It's close, but not a walk I would make this time of year. 

 

https://andrewsrestaurantsws.com/young-cardinal/ One of my all time favorite breakfast places. Get the sausage gravy as a side in place of potatoes and pour it over the biscuit they give you. Uptown. 

 

https://www.foothillsbrewing.com/welcome/?returnUrl=https://www.foothillsbrewing.com/

If you are staying at the Courtyard uptown, take 20 steps to the right and you'll be there. I'm not a craft beer person, but I do think this is one of the best in NC. 

 

https://www.smallbatchws.com/ I don't like bourbon, but the burgers here are great. It's by the big Marriott uptown. 

 

https://www.villagetavern.com/. Cool place at Reynolda Village. Not in the city. Close to campus. 

 

Thirsty Pallet is an uptown dive bar. I love the place. Walkable from anywhere uptown. 

 

Tailgating food: Mountain Fried Chicken. Close to the stadium. You can't go wrong with a fried chicken shop that has the tagline "It Ain't Greasy". 

 

If you get sucked into the whole Lexington BBQ thing, remember to get it sliced, not chopped. 

 

Someone mentioned they were staying at the Courtyard by the stadium. Pickings a slim, but Putters is a good choice. If you are parking at the basketball arena and not tailgating, but want some drinks, Putters is close. https://www.putterspatioandgrill.com/

 

If you want to see some shops in natural setting Reynolda Village is good but you have to drive to it. Trade Street has some shops you could look at. The Learfield Radio studio is on Trade Street and on Saturdays you can watch the guys do highlights. 

 

If you are a student and want to be around people your age, take an Uber to Burke Street Pub. That area is where the students go. Do us all a favor and clean yourself up when you go. Represent well. I've been at this place on a Friday night. The girls dress and look unlike what you see in Akron. They are rich kids who look rich and dress like rich kids. Don't be a slob. 

Thank you!