WINSTON-SALEM – In a showdown between ACC rivals, the North Carolina State Wolfpack asserted their dominance over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a resounding victory, triumphing 26-6 in a game that showcased their offensive prowess and defensive resilience.

How it Happened

In the first quarter, quarterback Brennan Armstrong connected with J. Gray for a 20-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for their offensive prowess. The Wolfpack continued their scoring spree in the second quarter, with Armstrong rushing for a 1-yard touchdown and Delbert Mimms III adding another 1-yard rushing touchdown. The fourth quarter saw the Wolfpack extending their lead with a 45-yard field goal by Narveson. The Demon Deacons managed to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter with Michael Kern throwing a 19-yard pass to Deuce Alexander. Interestingly, the Wolfpack's Jaylon Scott intercepted the Demon Deacons' two-point attempt and raced 100 yards for the defensive PAT, setting the final score at 26-6 in favor of the Wolfpack.

Offensive Showdown

The Wolfpack’s quarterback, Brennan Armstrong, had a solid performance, completing 12 of 17 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. Armstrong also showcased his versatility on the ground, rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown on 15 attempts. Armstrong’s rushing efforts were complemented by a well-distributed ground attack featuring KC Concepcion (86 yards), Kendrick Raphael (54 yards), and Delbert Mimms III (35 yards, one touchdown). The team’s rushing unit totaled an impressive 268 yards on 50 attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. In the receiving department, Julian Gray hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass, contributing to a receiving corps that accumulated 111 yards overall. Armstrong distributed the ball effectively, with Keyon Lesane leading the receiving chart with four receptions for 27 yards.

Demon Deacons Struggle to Find Momentum

On the other side of the field, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons faced a tough challenge against the stout Wolfpack defense. Quarterback Michael Kern threw for 156 yards, completing 14 of 26 attempts, and connected with Deuce Alexander for a 19-yard touchdown pass. However, the Demon Deacons were unable to establish a consistent ground game, managing only seven rushing yards on 18 attempts.

Defensive Standouts

The defensive battle was equally intense, with both teams making notable plays. For the Wolfpack, linebacker Jaylon Scott and linebacker Payton Wilson stood out, combining for 15 tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Safety Sean Brown made a crucial interception, adding to a formidable defensive effort that held the Demon Deacons to just one touchdown. Wake Forest’s defense, led by linebacker Dylan Hazen and defensive back Chelen Garnes, showed resilience despite the challenging circumstances. Hazen recorded 14 tackles, while Garnes contributed with a sack and a tackle for loss.

Key Stats and Analysis

The game statistics reflected the Wolfpack’s dominance, as they outgained the Demon Deacons in total yards (379-163), passing yards (111-156), and rushing yards (268-7). The Wolfpack converted 5 of 14 third downs, while the Demon Deacons struggled, managing only 1 of 12.

The Takeaway

With this convincing win, the NC State Wolfpack (7-3, 4-2) improved their record and solidified their position in the competitive ACC. The team showcased a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense, signaling their readiness for future challenges in the conference. The Demon Deacons (4-6, 1-6), on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their offensive struggles as they look to bounce back in the remaining games of the season, needing to win both games to become bowl eligible.

In what promises to be an electrifying clash, Duke and North Carolina are set to renew their age-old rivalry in the 110th meeting, with the iconic Victory Bell hanging in the balance. The game, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m., will be broadcast live on ACC Network, amplifying the excitement for fans eagerly anticipating this gridiron showdown. The Tar Heels hold the historical edge in the series at 64-41-4, but recent encounters between the two teams have been nothing short of nail-biting. In the last meeting on October 15, 2022, fans witnessed a thrilling spectacle as Duke and North Carolina combined for a staggering 1,078 yards and seven lead changes. The Tar Heels ultimately secured a dramatic 38-35 victory with a go-ahead touchdown just 16 seconds before the final whistle, leaving Blue Devils fans stunned. Duke’s last triumph over North Carolina dates back to November 10, 2018, a memorable day when quarterback Daniel Jones set school records en route to a 42-35 victory. The Battle for the Victory Bell traces its roots back to 1948 when North Carolina claimed possession following a 20-0 win. The concept was born from the minds of the head cheerleaders from Duke and North Carolina, Loring Jones and Norman Sper, respectively. With Jones designing the model and Sper acquiring a bell from an old railroad train, Red Lewis, Duke’s business manager, found the funds to bring the idea to life.

Duke heads into this clash as the underdog, facing its fifth nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Blue Devils are 1-3 against Top-25 foes, with all three losses coming in hard-fought battles. However, they boast a potent offense, ranking sixth in the ACC with an average of 5.84 yards per play. The team’s resilience is evident, being one of only three schools nationally with all three losses against Top-25 opponents. Leading Duke’s defensive charge is redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman, who sits sixth in the ACC with 71 tackles this season. Freeman has been a force in recent games, compiling impressive statistics over the last five outings. Senior defensive end Ryan Smith, fresh off ACC Player of the Week honors, adds depth to the Blue Devils’ defensive prowess. On the flip side, North Carolina enters the contest with momentum, having secured a victory against Campbell after two midseason losses. The Tar Heels, under the leadership of Mack Brown, have dominated recent matchups, winning the last four encounters with Duke. They’ve been formidable as a ranked team, boasting a 57-24 record under Brown. Running back Hampton has been a standout for the Tar Heels, rushing for 100 yards in four consecutive games. Last week, he reached the 1,000-yard mark in just nine games, a feat not achieved since Giovani Bernard in 2012. The Tar Heels have been prolific in the red zone, scoring 37 times in 42 drives this season.

NC State vs. Wake Forest: In a clash that transcends time, NC State and Wake Forest are set to renew their historic rivalry in the 117th meeting between the two squads, making it the longest-continuous rivalry in the ACC and the second-longest in the FBS. With NC State holding a 68-42-6 advantage in their 132 years of football history, this matchup is steeped in tradition and carries significant weight for both teams. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, now the winningest coach in school history, leads a formidable squad into this contest. Linebacker Payton Wilson, a force on the field, leads the ACC in tackles and has been named the Butkus National LB of the Month. True freshman receiver KC Concepcion, a standout rookie, has made history by becoming the first true freshman in school history to achieve two 100+ yard games in a season and record six touchdown receptions. With a strong defense ranking in the top 20 nationally in multiple categories, the Wolfpack aims to extend its impressive record in Carter-Finley Stadium, having won 20 of the last 23 games at home. This matchup promises not only a battle for supremacy on the field but also a continuation of a rivalry that has withstood the test of time, dating back to the teams’ first encounter in 1895 when NC State was known as The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The Wolfpack and the Demon Deacons are set to create yet another chapter in the storied history of the ACC’s longest-continuous rivalry.

Delaware vs. Campbell: In a thrilling culmination of their 2023 home campaign, Campbell University’s Fighting Camels (4-5, 3-3 CAA) are gearing up to face the formidable No. 8 Delaware Blue Hens (7-2, 5-1 CAA) on Saturday, November 11, at Barker-Lane Stadium. As the season nears its end, the Fighting Camels will honor Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day, recognizing 25 seniors before their last home game. Despite a challenging matchup against FBS North Carolina last week, Campbell boasts the 25th-ranked scoring offense in FCS, averaging 31.2 points per game. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, with a remarkable 73.4 percent completion rate, leads a dynamic offense that includes standout receivers Jalen Kelsey and VJ Wilkins. On the defensive front, CJ Tillman and Monchovia Gaffney spearhead the efforts with 82 and 58 tackles, respectively. Facing the Blue Hens for the first time, Campbell anticipates a fierce battle against a Delaware team coming off their lone CAA loss. Delaware’s quarterback Ryan O’Connor and rusher Marcus Yarns pose significant threats, setting the stage for an intense clash that will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m., promising an exciting spectacle for fans at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The 2022 college football regular season and conference championships have come to a close. Five NCCFB FBS teams have qualified for postseason bowls. The Duke's Mayo Bowl returns to Charlotte in 2022 and will feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference.

Duke Blue Devils

Record: 8-4 (5-3 ACC)

Location: Navy-Marine Corps Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)

Opponent:

Time: 2:00 PM

Tickets: http://militarybowl.org/tickets/

East Carolina Pirates

Record: 7-5 (4-4 AAC)

Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)

Opponent:

Coastal Carolina (9-3, 6-2 SBC)

Date: December 27, 2022

Time: 6:45 PM

Tickets: https://ticketsmarterbirminghambowl.com/tickets/

NC State Wolfpack

Record: 8-4 (4-4 ACC)

Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Opponent:

Maryland (7-5, 4-5 B1G)

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 9-4 (6-2 ACC, Coastal Division Champs)

Opponent:

Oregon (9-3, 7-2 PAC 12)

Date: December 28, 2022

Time: 8:00 PM

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D37CA7F5243

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Record: 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

Opponent:

Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC)

Date: Friday, December 23

Time: 6:30 PM

Tickets: https://www.gasparillabowl.com/tickets/

Duke's Mayo Bowl

Teams: North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Maryland Terrapins

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00

Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

WINSTON-SALEM – Drake Maye threw for 448 yards and three
touchdowns and ran for a touchdown to lead the #15 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels
to a 36-34 win over Wake Forest on Saturday evening. Sam Hartman had 320 yards
and four touchdowns in the losing effort for the Demon Deacons.

UNC came out strong in the first quarter with Maye
connecting with Josh Downs, their first of three touchdown connections on the
night, six minutes into the game. The Tar Heels scored touchdowns on four of
their first five drives of the night.

When it seemed like the top-fifteen Heels were going to run
away with the game, the Wake Forest offense came alive, tallying touchdowns on three
straight drives in the first half, making it a one-score game at the half.

The Demon Deacons used the third quarter to take the lead
over the Tar Heels, with Hartman netting two of his scoring passes in the quarter.
After AT Perry made a great grab to give the home team the lead, Maye responded
for the Tar Heels, running it in from five yards out. It was the last touchdown
the Tar Heels would score on the evening. Wake Forest’s Donavon Green got
behind the defense, snagged in a ball from Hartman, and raced sixty yards to
the end zone to give the Demon Deacons a one-point lead going into the final
quarter.

North Carolina started the fourth quarter on the Wake Forest
one-yard line, but the Demon Deacons defense stepped up and stuffed the Tar Heels,
keeping them out of the end zone and turning them over on downs. Wake Forest
then marched ninety-one yards down the field on eleven plays before the UNC
defense returned the favor, stopping the Demon Deacons on downs. The decision
to not kick the field goal would come back to haunt Wake Forest as Noah
Burnette was able to kick the go-ahead field goal for the Tar Heels, giving
them a two-point lead, a margin that held through the final whistle.

Key Stats

North Carolina was 10 of 16 on third down while Wake Forest
was 3 of 12. Wake Forest was 4 of 6 on fourth down, though.

North Carolina led the time of possession battle, 33:02 to
26:58.

Both teams were great in the red zone with North Carolina
scoring six times on eight tries with Wake Forest scoring on three of their four
trips.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – The redshirt freshman was 31 of 49
for 448 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 71 rushing yards
and a touchdown.

Sam Hartman (Davidson Day) – The senior quarterback threw
for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Hartman became just the second quarterback to
throw for over 100 touchdowns in his career.

Donavon Green (Mount Airy) – The sophomore receiver scored two
touchdowns on the evening for Wake Forest.

Cedric Gray (Ardrey Kell) – The junior linebacker led the Tar
Heels with nine tackles, including five solo tackles.

Next Week

Both teams are at home next Saturday as North Carolina (9-1,
6-0) hosts Georgia Tech at 5:30pm while Wake Forest (6-4, 2-4) hosts Syracuse
at 8:00 pm.

WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest University's fourth sellout crowd (32,903) in its last five games inside Truist Field witnessed a double-overtime classic between No. 16 Wake Forest and No. 5 Clemson. In front of a national television audience on ABC, the Demon Deacons battled the Tigers to the wire and eventually fell in double overtime, 51-45. 

Wake Forest amassed 447 yards on offense and redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman tossed a Demon Deacons record six touchdowns. The six touchdown passes marked the most against the Clemson Tigers since current Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields threw six of his own on Jan. 1, 2021 in the Sugar Bowl. Additionally on Saturday, the Charlotte native finished 20-of-29 passing for 337 yards to go along with the half-dozen scores.  

Sophomore wideout Jahmal Banks caught a pair of touchdown passes for the second-straight game and redshirt sophomore Donavon Greene reeled in his first touchdown pass since Nov. 14, 2020 against North Carolina. Also with his eight-yard touchdown catch in the first overtime, redshirt junior wide receiver A.T. Perry tallied his 19th-career scoring grab which ties him for seventh in program history and gives him sole possession of first place among wideouts in the Dave Clawson era.

Overall this season, Wake Forest's offense has been unstoppable and has now set a new scoring record with 171 points through four games. The 45 points that the Deacs tallied on Saturday marked their highest total against the Tigers since Nov. 1, 2003 (45 points) and the most points Clemson has allowed since Nov. 7, 2020 at Notre Dame.

Defensively, captains Ryan Smenda, Jr. and Chase Jones each recorded a game-high nine tackles, respectively. The Demon Deacons defense totaled six tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. 

Up Next

Wake Forest travels to take on Florida State next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The Deacs next return to Truist Field on Oct. 8 vs. Army.

Story courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

GREENSBORO – Clemson is an overwhelming preseason favorite to claim its seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference football title, according to a preseason poll of 147 media voters. 

The Tigers, who posted a 10-2 record last season while earning a postseason playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year, were also chosen as likely Atlantic Division winners. North Carolina was picked to finish atop the Coastal Division following an eight-win 2020 season that culminated with the program’s first-ever berth in the Orange Bowl. 

Clemson was named the likely 2021 ACC champion on 125 ballots. North Carolina picked up 16 votes, followed by Miami with three and Georgia Tech, NC State, and Virginia with one each.

In the Atlantic Division preseason voting, Clemson led the way with 146 first-place votes and 1,028 total points. NC State, which was tabbed as the likely second-place finisher, picked up the remaining first-place vote while accumulating 804 points.

Boston College (638 points) was picked for a third-place Atlantic Division finish, followed by Florida State (510), Wake Forest (472), Louisville (462), and Syracuse (202).

In the Coastal Division forecast, North Carolina received 109 first-place votes and amassed 979 total points. Miami (28 first-place votes) was next with 881 points, followed by Virginia Tech (three-first place votes, 582 points) and Pitt (one first-place vote, 576 points).

Virginia (two first-place votes, 540 points), Georgia Tech (four first-place votes, 340 points), and Duke (218 points) closed out the voting.

Clemson was selected as the likely ACC champion in the media preseason poll for the fourth consecutive season and the seventh time in the last nine years. 

North Carolina was projected as the preseason Coastal Division champion for the second time and the first time since 2016. The Tar Heels’ lone Coastal Division championship came in 2015. Each of the Coastal’s seven teams won the division from 2013 through 2019. Due to the 2020 pandemic, the ACC played with a non-divisional format last season.

The Atlantic and Coastal Division winners will meet in the 2021 ACC Football Championship Game on Saturday, December 4, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

ACC Preseason Poll

(147 total votes - First-place votes in parenthesis)

Overall Champion

1. Clemson - 125
2. North Carolina - 16
3. Miami - 3
4. Virginia - 1
5. Georgia Tech - 1
6. NC State - 1

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson – 1,028 (146)
2. NC State - 804 (1)
3. Boston College - 638
4. Florida State - 510
5. Wake Forest - 472
6. Louisville - 462
7. Syracuse - 202

Coastal Division

1. North Carolina - 979 (109)
2. Miami - 881 (28)
3. Virginia Tech - 582 (3)
4. Pitt - 576 (1)
5. Virginia - 540 (2)
6. Georgia Tech - 340 (4)
7. Duke - 218 

CHARLOTTE - Wake Forest jumped out to an early two-touchdown lead over Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon, but four second-half interceptions were too much to overcome as the Demon Deacons fell in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, 42-28.

All of the scoring for Wake Forest was by players who played their prep ball in North Carolina. Former Hertford County standout Jaquarii Roberson had a stellar day, hauling in eight catches for 131 yards. His three scoring catches tied a bowl record. Former East Forsyth Eagle Christian-Beal Smith had the other touchdown for the Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest is now 15-12 in neutral site games in Charlotte and 2-1 in Charlotte-based bowls games, winning the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl and the 20017 Belk Bowl. The Demon Deacons are now 4-12 against Big Ten opponents. Wake Forest has now played in five straight bowl games for the first time in program history.

Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson

"First off, congratulations to Wisconsin. Football is usually a game where the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. They made a lot less mistakes than us and they played much better fundamental football. I am proud of the way we competed to the very end. I thought our guys battled physically, but we just made too many fatal mistakes to overcome. A blocked punt that leads to a touchdown; we take a lead in the third quarter and then we give up a 59-yard kickoff return. We threw four interceptions in the last 17 or 18 minutes of the game. We had some violations on defense in the play-action game. What happened was a very good, hard fought and competitive game got out of hand because of all the turnovers and special teams miscues. We just made way too many mistakes to win the football game. Again, congratulations to Wisconsin. I certainly want to thank our coaches, staff, and players for the commitment they have made since July. I want to thank Danny Morrison and the Charlotte Sports Foundation for inviting us to play in their bowl game, and the Panthers and Duke's Mayo for their sponsorship of this event. Again, we did a lot of good things. We moved the football. It is not too often you outgain a team 518 to 266 and lose the game. But when you throw four picks, you are not going to ever overcome that. I am disappointed, but proud of the effort. We'll learn from it, grow from it and hopefully be a better program in 2021 because of it."

BB&T Field

Last Year

Players to Watch

What the Coaches are Saying

“Wake Forest has a multitude of reasons they’re successful. One, they’ve got talent. Two, they’re well coached. Three, it’s all phases. They’re effective in the kicking game. They’re effective on defense. They’re certainly effective on offense. They have a quarterback playing as well as maybe any quarterback in the country. He’s just consistent. He’s a pure playmaker and he has good players around him.”

“Duke accomplished something we didn’t in beating Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech beat us by two scores. Duke completely outplayed them in the second half. Duke’s a good football team. They beat Northwestern, who might finish the season 9-3 and nationally ranked. These are two teams where the talent level is somewhat equal. Duke has lost a number of heartbreaking, one-score games. They lost to Army in a one-score game, Pitt in a one-score game, Florida State in a one-score game and we’ve been fortunate that we’ve found ways to win those games. The margin of winning and losing is very small. They were 4-0 like we were and they lost some really heartbreaking games. We found a way to win some of those.”

Duke (5-6, 2-5 ACC) at Wake Forest (7-4, 4-3 ACC)

BB&T Field (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Kickoff: 12:30

WFU Head Coach Dave Clawson

What the Coaches are Saying

“With Louisville it is another opportunity to win a game against a really good football team. Obviously they have the defending Heisman Trophy winner. They have the No. 1 offense in the ACC. They average 550 yards per game and have the No. 1 scoring offense. Lamar Jackson is an incredibly dynamic player. He is the fastest guy on the field at all times no matter who they play. Some of the things he does are amazing. He throws the ball extremely well and reads coverages well. Bonnafon, the tailback, has really developed into a good back. For a guy who started at quarterback against us three years ago, he is becoming a good running back. He runs well and catches well and can make people miss. They have always had big receivers that can make plays. Their offensive line is big and physical. On defense, they have always had good players. They have a number of guys who are going to play in the NFL. They are probably coming off their best defensive effort. This is ACC football and every week you have to play your best game to have a shot. This week will be another big challenge for us.”

“I think he’s (WFU QB John Wolford) done a nice job of throwing touchdown passes. He’s been accurate on the passes. They do a good job of running the ball. They’re really active on the defensive front. Both defensive ends that we played against last year – both guys do a really good job of rushing the passer and defending the run. They move their inside guys a lot. They’re very experienced at linebacker. They’re guys we’ve played against for a number of years, so they’ve defended people well. People haven’t scored a lot of points on them. I think it’s going to be up to us to mix it up and be able to run it and throw it.”

Game Info

Wake Forest QB John Wolford

What the Coaches are Saying