Built in the Dark: Wake Forest Earns Statement Win at No. 12 Virginia to Secure Bowl Eligibility

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Sparked by an 88-yard punt return touchdown from junior Carlos Hernandez in the second quarter and standout defensive performance that featured three takeaways and keeping the Cavaliers out of the end zone for the first time since 2022, Wake Forest (6-3, 3-3 ACC) earned a statement road win at No. 12 Virginia (8-2, 5-1 ACC) 16-9 on Saturday night at Scott Stadium to clinch bowl eligibility for the 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.

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.

From a coaching perspective, the Demon Deacons triumph gave head coach Jake Dickert his fourth career win over a ranked opponent and his first as the Demon Deacons' head coach. In his debut season in Winston-Salem, Dickert has already made program history, becoming the first coach to lead Wake Forest to a bowl berth in his inaugural year.

Within the white lines on Saturday, special teams was the spotlight for the Deacs. Redshirt freshman Connor Calvert nailed a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter, a 50-yard try in the third quarter, and a 49-yarder to secure the game in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Hernandez's aforementioned punt return for a touchdown was the second-longest in Wake Forest history and the game's only touchdown.

Defensively, the Demon Deacons were stout all night as linebacker Dylan Hazen logged a pair of fumble recoveries and a forced fumble, along with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. The Deacs forced three Virginia turnovers with a pair coming on forced fumbles by Wake's stellar defensive line, including one from redshirt junior Nuer Gatkuoth and another from junior Dallas Afalava.

Additionally, the Demon Deacons kept the Cavaliers out of the end zone for the first time since 2022 while also holding their high powered offense to over 100 yards fewer than their average yard per game this season.

Offensively, Wake Forest executed when it needed it most as senior running back Demond Claiborne rushed for 75 yards on 25 attempts, while redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford connected on seven passes for 46 yards while adding 57 yards on the ground.

This highly-anticipated matchup, which was broadcast nationally on ESPN, was a hard-hitting ACC football game that featured the two programs that have played the most one-score games in the league. The Demon Deacons improved to 4-1 in such games this fall while the Cavaliers fell to 4-2.

Looking ahead, Deacon Nation can click here for more bowl information. Additional details on tickets, fan events and travel opportunities will be shared Sunday, Dec. 7, when Wake Forest's bowl destination is announced. Meanwhile, two more chances remain for fans to see the Deacs at Allegacy Stadium, beginning with the season's biggest home game on Saturday, Nov. 15, against North Carolina at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on The CW. The matchup—just the Tar Heels' seventh trip to Winston-Salem this century—will also serve as the annual Military Appreciation Game, honoring all current and former service members.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Virginia blocked a punt on the opening possession, the Demon Deacon defense stood tall to hold the Cavaliers to a field goal.
- Dylan Hazen and Langston Hardy combined for a tackle-for-loss on third down to force the field goal attempt.
The Cavaliers added another field goal with 4:27 remaining in the first half to make it 6-0.
- Hazen made another stop on third and goal to hold Virginia to three points.
Following a defensive stop, Carlos Hernandez returned the ensuing punt 88 yards for a touchdown to put the Deacs up 7-6 with 1:33 left in the half.
- This marked the first punt return for a touchdown since Taylor Morin returned a punt 73 yards for a score against North Carolina A&T last season.
- It was also the second-longest punt return in program history.
The Wake Forest defense notched the first turnover of the game, as Afalava forced a fumble that was recovered by Hardy.
- Calvert tacked on a 40-yard field goal to put the Deacs up 10-6 heading into halftime.
Virginia tacked on a field goal on the opening possession of the second half to cut the Wake Forest lead to 10-9.
The Deacs forced another fumble the following Cavalier possession, as redshirt junior Nuer Gatkuoth stripped the Virginia quarterback before Hazen recovered the loose ball.
- Calvert connected on a 50-yard field goal on the next Wake Forest possession to put the Demon Deacons up 13-9.
Wake Forest extended their lead to 16-9 following a 49-yard field goal by Calvert with 3:53 remaining in the contest.
With the Cavaliers driving, Hazen recorded the Demon Deacons' third forced fumble of the game and recovered his second fumble of the day with 3:12 left.
The Demon Deacon defense came up with a fourth down stop with 12 seconds left to give Wake Forest the 16-9 win.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

With the win against Virginia, head coach Jake Dickert earned his sixth win in his first season at Wake Forest. The win now most him to a tie for second in program history in wins by a first-year head coach:
1. Bill Dooley (1987) - 7
T2. Jake Dickert (2025) - 6
T2. Jim Grobe (2001) - 6
T2. Tom Rogers (1951) - 6
T2. F.S. "Pat" Miller (1929) - 6
T2. Hank Garrity (1923) - 6
T7. Bill Tate (1964) - 5
T7. James Baldwin (1926) - 5
Additionally, he has been one of the winningest first-year head coaches in the country this season:
- 2025 FBS First-Year Head Coaches – Most Victories *
  - 6 – Jake Dickert, Wake Forest
  - 6 – Dan Mullen, UNLV
  - 6 – Charles Huff, Southern Miss
  - 6 – Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State
  - 6 – Jason Eck, New Mexico
  - 6 – Matt Entz, Fresno State
  - 5 – K.C. Keeler, Temple
  - 5 – Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan
  - 5 - Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State

STAGGERING STATISTICS

Wake has won six of the last seven games against Virginia, including the last three at Scott Stadium (2012, 2021 & 2025). Virginia hasn't defeated the Demon Deacons in Charlottesville since 2007.
Additionally, it marks the first time since 1964 that Wake Forest has beaten both Virginia and Virginia Tech on the road in the same season.
Wake Forest has been dominant over teams in the state of Virginia as the Deacs have won nine of the last 11 over teams from the state. This includes at least one win in five of the last six seasons:

Date	Opponent	Result
Nov. 8, 2025	at No. 12 Virginia	W, 16-9
Oct. 4, 2025	at Virginia Tech	W, 30-23
Sept. 7, 2024	vs. Virginia	L, 31-20
Oct. 14, 2023	at Virginia Tech	L, 30-13
Sept. 16, 2023	at Old Dominion	W, 27-24
Sept. 17, 2022	vs. Liberty	W, 37-36
Sept. 24, 2021	at Virginia	W, 37-17
Sept. 11, 2021	vs. Norfolk State	W, 41-16
Sept. 3, 2021	vs. Old Dominion	W, 42-10
Oct. 24, 2020	vs. No. 19 Virginia Tech	W, 23-16
Oct. 17, 2020	vs. Virginia	W, 40-23

Over this span, the Demon Deacons have outscored Virginia teams 336-235.

FROM COACH DICKERT
"Unbelievably proud of our football team. We had some really resilient performances in all three phases. It definitely wasn't perfect. It wasn't pretty. Once again, our defense was unbelievable. We got them to do something which they don't really do, and that was turning the ball over. That was the biggest part of the game. I'm really proud of our guys. Huge celebration there. I do want to address something. I lost my emotions a little bit on the referee when their quarterback went down. I told Tony Elliott after the game that I apologize for that. I want to play those guys at full strength. I didn't think it was a dirty play and I just lost my emotions there. I just wanted to make that clear. Overall, I'm really proud of our team. No one thought that we could go to a bowl game. Again, I get too much credit. This is a player's game. These guys fought with resiliency, they kept punching, and they found a way to win."

UP NEXT
Deacon Nation can click here for more bowl information. Additional details on tickets, fan events and travel opportunities will be shared Sunday, Dec. 7, when Wake Forest's bowl destination is announced. Meanwhile, two more chances remain for fans to see the Deacs at Allegacy Stadium, beginning with the season's biggest home game on Saturday, Nov. 15, against North Carolina at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on The CW. The matchup—just the Tar Heels' seventh trip to Winston-Salem this century—will also serve as the annual Military Appreciation Game, honoring all current and former service members.

Built in the Dark: Wake Forest Earns Statement Win at No. 12 Virginia to Secure Bowl Eligibility

Next Event

Team Stats

Robby Ashford

Deshawn Purdie

Players Mentioned

Dallas Afalava

Robby Ashford

Connor Calvert

Demond Claiborne

Nuer Gatkuoth

Langston Hardy

Dylan Hazen

Carlos Hernandez

Taylor Morin

Wake Forest Athletics

Built in the Dark: Wake Forest Earns Statement Win at No. 12 Virginia to Secure Bowl Eligibility

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Next Event

Team Stats

Game Leaders

Robby Ashford

Deshawn Purdie

Players Mentioned

Dallas Afalava

Robby Ashford

Connor Calvert

Demond Claiborne

Nuer Gatkuoth

Langston Hardy

Dylan Hazen

Carlos Hernandez

Taylor Morin

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