Photo by: BryceMitchell
Hernandez Earns ACC Specialist of the Week Honors after Win at No. 12 Virginia
11/10/2025 1:52:00 PM | Football
Hernandez returned three punts for a total of 124 yards, including an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter that was the only TD in Wake Forest’s win at UVA.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Sparked by an 88-yard punt return touchdown to help Wake Forest take down No. 12 Virginia, junior Carlos Hernandez has been named ACC Specialist of the Week as announced by the league on Monday afternoon.
Saturday's ranked win in Charlottesville marked the Demon Deacons first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Florida State on Oct. 1, 2022, and its first over a top-20 foe since topping No. 16 NC State 45–42 at Allegacy Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021. Overall, the win was Wake Forest's 18th all-time over a top-20 opponent and its highest-ranked road win since defeating No. 12 Georgia on Sept. 12, 1979.
Specialist of the Week - Carlos Hernandez
Wake Forest ACC Players of the Week Honors
Hernandez and the rest of the Wake Forest football team return to Allegacy Stadium against North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 15. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
Saturday's ranked win in Charlottesville marked the Demon Deacons first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Florida State on Oct. 1, 2022, and its first over a top-20 foe since topping No. 16 NC State 45–42 at Allegacy Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021. Overall, the win was Wake Forest's 18th all-time over a top-20 opponent and its highest-ranked road win since defeating No. 12 Georgia on Sept. 12, 1979.
Specialist of the Week - Carlos Hernandez
- Wake's statement road win at No. 12 Virginia clinched bowl eligibility for the Deacs for eighth time in the last 10 seasons.
- Additionally in his first season in Winston-Salem, head coach Jake Dickert has already made history—becoming the first coach in Wake Forest history to lead the program to a bowl berth in his inaugural season.
- Wideout Carlos Hernandez was targeted six times on offense but registered just one catch for four yards.
- On special teams, he returned three punts for a total of 124 yards, including an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter that was the only TD in Wake Forest's win at UVA.
- The 88-yard return is the second-longest punt return in program history and marked the first punt return for a touchdown since Taylor Morin's 73-yard return against North Carolina A&T last season.
| Rank | Name | Opponent (Date) | Yards |
| 1. | Nick Sacrinty | VMI (10/23/1942) | 94 |
| 2. | Carlos Hernandez | Virginia (11/8/2025) | 88 |
| 3. | George Coghill | Navy (11/23/1991) | 86 |
| 4. | Fabian Davis | Illinois (8/29/2002) | 82 |
| 5. | Bill Barnes | William & Mary (9/22/1956) | 77 |
- Additionally, it marks the second-straight season that the Demon Deacons have had both a punt return and a kickoff return touchdown in the same year.
- Carlos Hernandez 88-yard punt return touchdown vs. No. 12 Virginia (Nov. 8, 2025)
- Chris Barnes 98-yard kickoff return touchdown vs. NC State (Sept. 22, 2025)
- Demond Claiborne 100-yard kickoff return touchdown at Miami (Nov. 23, 2024)
- Taylor Morin 73-yard punt return touchdown vs. NC A&T (Aug. 29, 2024)
Wake Forest ACC Players of the Week Honors
- Week Two - Demond Claiborne - ACC Running Back of the Week
- Week 7 - Demond Claiborne - ACC Running Back of the Week
- Week 7 - Chris Barnes - ACC Rookie of the Week
- Week 9 - Connor Calvert - ACC Specialist of the Week
- Week 9 - Davaughn Patterson - ACC Defensive Back of the Week
- Week 11 - Carlos Hernandez - ACC Specialist of the Week
Hernandez and the rest of the Wake Forest football team return to Allegacy Stadium against North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 15. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.
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