Wake Forest Athletics
10/28/2026 11:59:00 AM | Football
Lopez has earned three ACC Quarterback of the Week selections this year as he has totaled 23 touchdowns through seven games.
PHILADELPHIA – Wake Forest redshirt junior quarterback Gio Lopez has been added to the Maxwell Award watchlist, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Wednesday. First presented in 1937, the Maxwell Award is given annually to college football's player of the year.
Through the first seven games of the 2026 season, Lopez has led one of the nation's top offenses as the Demon Deacons are ranked No. 14 in the latest AP poll. The Madison, Ala., native has totaled 23 touchdowns 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 (24 touchdowns, one interception).
Before entering the team's bye in Week 8, Lopez ranked 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 ranked No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103) following Wake Forest's 41-7 victory over Cal on Oct. 17.
Last week, Lopez was named a midseason addition to the Manning Award watchlist. Established in 2004, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Lopez has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week selections so far this year in addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week and twice being selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list.
Through the first seven games of the 2026 season, Lopez has led one of the nation's top offenses as the Demon Deacons are ranked No. 14 in the latest AP poll. The Madison, Ala., native has totaled 23 touchdowns 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 (24 touchdowns, one interception).
Before entering the team's bye in Week 8, Lopez ranked 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 ranked No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103) following Wake Forest's 41-7 victory over Cal on Oct. 17.
Last week, Lopez was named a midseason addition to the Manning Award watchlist. Established in 2004, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Lopez has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week selections so far this year in addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week and twice being selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list.
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