Wake Forest Records Largest Margin of Victory in an ACC Game, Defeats Stanford 57-3

Saturday, October 3

Winston-Salem, N.C.

12 p.m.

Wake Forest University

4-1 , 2-1

Stanford

2-3 , 1-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Stanford	0	3	0	0	3
Wake Forest	15	14	14	14	57

PDF Box Score Postgame Notes

Wake Forest Records Largest Margin of Victory in an ACC Game, Defeats Stanford 57-3

10/3/2026 4:26:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Quarterback Gio Lopez went 20-of-27 for 265 yards and two touchdowns through the air, as well as 88 yards and a career-high three rushing touchdowns in the 57-3 victory over the Cardinal.

By: Stephen Czarda & KJ Smith

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Quarterback Gio Lopez totaled a career-high five total touchdowns as the Wake Forest football team (4-1, 2-1 ACC) routed Stanford (2-3, 1-3 ACC) by a final score of 57-3 on Saturday afternoon at Allegacy Financial Stadium to headline Family Weekend festivities. The 54-point win over Stanford sets a program record for the largest margin of victory by the Demon Deacons in an ACC game.

Lopez finished the game completing 20-of-27 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinal. The Madison, Ala., native also tallied 88 yards and a career-high three rushing touchdowns, becoming the first Demon Deacon quarterback to log three touchdowns on the ground since Jamie Newman did so against Memphis on Dec. 22, 2018.

Lopez connected with nine different receivers on Saturday, led by wide receiver Carlos Hernandez, who recorded seven catches for 87 yards. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jack Foley hauled in three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Deuce Lawrence continued to impress as he recorded 47 yards and a rushing touchdown on just six carries.

Overall, the Deacs combined for 519 total yards against the Cardinal, including 322 yards passing and 197 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Demon Deacons were led by defensive back Davaughn Patterson, who totaled 10 tackles with four solo efforts. Linebacker Vincent Firenze also added eight tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack.

In total, the Deacs allowed just 197 yards of total offense against the Cardinal, including just 41 yards on the ground. Wake Forest also recorded a takeaway for the second consecutive game as defensive lineman Dallas Afalava notched an interception in the third quarter.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After the defense forced a missed field goal, Wake Forest grabbed a 7-0 lead on its opening possession on a 12-yard rushing touchdown by running back Deuce Lawrence.
The Demon Deacons pushed their lead to double-digits as quarterback Gio Lopez kept it himself from five-yards out at the 2:28 mark in the first quarter.
- The Deacs converted on a two-point conversion to make it 15-0.
Stanford cut the lead down to 13 points on a 43-yard field goal.
The Demon Deacons extended their lead to 22-3 as Lopez scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown rush with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
The Deacs made it 29-3 right before halftime as Lopez connected with wide receiver Jack Foley for a four-yard touchdown reception, capping off an eight-play, 82-yard drive.
Lopez notched his third rushing touchdown of the game to extend the Wake Forest lead to 36-3 on the opening drive of the second half.
Defensive lineman Dallas Afalava recorded an interception on fourth down to halt a Stanford drive.
- The Demon Deacons capitalized on the turnover as Lopez found tight end Will Loerzel in the back of the endzone at the 1:14 mark to make it a 40-point game.
Wake Forest made it 50-3 on a 10-yard touchdown rush by quarterback Steele Pizzella.
Running back Jamar Searcy punched in a six-yard touchdown rush with 2:19 remaining to push the lead to 54 points.
Wake Forest defeated Stanford, 57-3.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Quarterback Gio Lopez got it done through the air and on the ground Saturday, as he completed 20-of-27 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 88 rushing yards and a career-high three rushing touchdowns against Stanford.
- He became the first Wake Forest quarterback to rush for three touchdowns in a single game since Jamie Newman against Memphis on Dec. 22, 2018.
- Through five games, Lopez ranks third in the ACC in passing yards and sixth in touchdown passes.
- Lopez is enjoying a breakout season in the Old Gold & Black, having compiled 1,569 total yards, 15 touchdowns and just one interception through five games this season. In 11 games at North Carolina last year, Lopez put up marks of 1,880 total yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Lopez' three rushing touchdowns against the Cardinal equaled his total rushing touchdowns from all of last year.

2026 ACC Passing Yardage Leaders

Rank	Player	School	2026 Passing Yardage
1.	Kevin Jennings	SMU	1,613
2.	Ethan Grunkmeyer	Virginia Tech	1,446
3.	Gio Lopez	Wake Forest	1,377
4.	Mason Heintschel	Pitt	1,304
5.	Darian Mensah	Miami	1,211

STAGGERING STATISTIC

Wake Forest's 54-point win over Stanford set a program record for the largest margin of victory by the Demon Deacons in an ACC game. The 54-point margin of victory surpassed the previous record of 52 points, set in Wake Forest's 59-7 victory at Duke on Nov. 24, 2018.
Wake Forest's 57 points against Stanford marked the first time the Demon Deacons have scored 50 or more points in an ACC game since Nov. 6, 2021. The Deacs scored 55 points in a 58-55 road loss at North Carolina in that contest.

FROM COACH DICKERT
"Really fired up for our football team. We really challenged them this week. Really challenged them for a complete game on offense, defense and special teams. There's still a lot to clean up, but a lot of excitement in that locker room. It was a dominant performance from first snap all the way through. Excited about what this means for our team and obviously getting a big ACC win at home is really important. Special thanks to everyone who came out today. It was a great crowd, so thank you. Fired up for our football team and plenty of areas to get better obviously. Plenty to learn from and excited for a Big Four matchup next week."

UP NEXT
Wake Forest will return to road action next Saturday, facing Big Four rival NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game will kick-off at 12 noon and be televised nationally on The CW.

The matchup between the Demon Deacons and the Wolfpack will be the 120th meeting in the second-longest consecutively played game in the country, dating back to 1910. The Deacs earned a 34-30 victory following a game-sealing interception by Branson Combs the last time the two schools met at Carter-Finley Stadium during the 2024 season.