Wake Forest Athletics
10/23/2026 3:39:00 PM | Football
Lopez has totaled 23 touchdowns to just one turnover this season as the Demon Deacons are averaging more than 37 points per game.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest redshirt junior quarterback Gio Lopez has been added to the Manning Award watchlist, as announced by the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Friday. Established in 2004, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and is the only quarterback award that factors bowl performances into its balloting.
Each week during the season, the Manning Award recognizes a group of Stars of the Week for standout quarterback performances, with fans then voting via the award's social media channels (@ManningAward) to select an overall Quarterback of the Week. Lopez has twice earned Star of the Week honors.
Through seven games so far this season, Lopez has engineered one of the nation's top offenses as the Demon Deacons are ranked No. 17 in the latest AP poll. The Madison, Ala., native has totaled 23 touchdowns – tied for fourth-most in the country – to just one turnover while the offense is averaging more than 37 points per game.
Lopez is one of only two quarterbacks in the country with 20 or more total touchdowns to just one turnover, joined by Miami's Darian Mensah (20 touchdowns, one interception).
He ranks top-10 nationally in both passing yards (1,947) and passing touchdowns (17) while also ranking top-20 in the country in quarterback rating (172.8), passing yards per game (278.1), yards per attempt (9.41) and completions (140).
The redshirt junior has been particularly productive against ACC opponents, as he ranks No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103).
In addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week, Lopez has also twice been selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list and has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week nods.
Each week during the season, the Manning Award recognizes a group of Stars of the Week for standout quarterback performances, with fans then voting via the award's social media channels (@ManningAward) to select an overall Quarterback of the Week. Lopez has twice earned Star of the Week honors.
Through seven games so far this season, Lopez has engineered one of the nation's top offenses as the Demon Deacons are ranked No. 17 in the latest AP poll. The Madison, Ala., native has totaled 23 touchdowns – tied for fourth-most in the country – to just one turnover while the offense is averaging more than 37 points per game.
Lopez is one of only two quarterbacks in the country with 20 or more total touchdowns to just one turnover, joined by Miami's Darian Mensah (20 touchdowns, one interception).
He ranks top-10 nationally in both passing yards (1,947) and passing touchdowns (17) while also ranking top-20 in the country in quarterback rating (172.8), passing yards per game (278.1), yards per attempt (9.41) and completions (140).
The redshirt junior has been particularly productive against ACC opponents, as he ranks No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103).
In addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week, Lopez has also twice been selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list and has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week nods.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballThursday, October 22
Tuesday, October 20
Wednesday, October 14
Tuesday, October 13