Gio Lopez, Wake Forest Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Draft Scout College Football Player News

09/03/26 - QB Gio Lopez, rJr/2028, Wake Forest, (DS#34 QB)

Gio Lopez threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in his Wake Forest debut, helping the Demon Deacons beat Akron 38-16 in Thursday night's opener. Lopez had completed 17 of 25 passes for 313 yards and all three of his scores by halftime, including hitting Louisville transfer Antonio Meeks deep over the middle for a 72-yard TD. He followed with a quick throw to returnee Carlos Hernandez, who shrugged off a tackle then broke loose up the left sideline for a 78-yard score and a 28-0 second-quarter lead. Lopez struggled last year at North Carolina in NFL coaching great Bill Belichick's messy first college season, but reunited with offensive coordinator Rob Ezell after thriving under him at South Alabama in 2024.

Lopez had a 34-yard pass to Hernandez on the opening drive before capping it with a 27-yard touchdown up the seam to Kam Shanks. Hernandez had five grabs for 165 yards before being knocked from the game before halftime on a jarring hit to the midsection. Ty Clark III ran for 105 yards on just seven carries in a 559-total yard day for the Demon Deacons (1-0). Redshirt freshman Cibastian Broughton started in his college debut for the Zips (0-1), throwing for 111 yards and running for 82 more. Akron got on the board with Matthew Schramm's 28-yard field goal shortly before halftime, while backup QB Brayden Roggow had two short TD throws late. - AP College Football

(DS#34 QB) rJr/2028