ACC Football: Wake Forest Defeats North Carolina 28-12

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 28, North Carolina Tar Heels 12 — Game Recap (Nov. 15 2025)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — In a statement win at home, Wake Forest topped North Carolina 28-12 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, topping the Tar Heels in all three phases and handing coach Bill Belichick’s squad a game to forget. (University of North Carolina Athletics)

First Half: Wake strikes early, UNC scrapes field goals

Wake Forest wasted little time. On the game’s opening possession, the Deacons went 75 yards in five plays, culminating in a 51-yard run by standout receiver Carlos Hernandez (Calvert kick) to take a 7–0 lead. (ACC)

North Carolina responded with a field goal from Rece Verhoff from 40 yards early in the second quarter after a 13-play, 58-yard drive, making it 7–3. (Wake Forest University Athletics)

Wake then methodically built the lead: freshman running back Demond Claiborne punched in a 12-yard TD run on a 13-play, 79-yard drive, extending the advantage to 14–3 just before halftime. (ACC)

UNC cut the gap with another Verhoff field goal — this one from 57 yards at the half buzzer — to make it 14–6 heading into the locker room. (ESPN.com)

By halftime, the Tar Heels had accrued only 257 total yards compared to Wake’s 414. (Wake Forest University Athletics)

Third Quarter: Big play seals momentum

The third quarter saw Carolina further falter. Verhoff added a 42-yard field goal to pull UNC within 14–9. (ESPN.com)

But Wake hit back quickly. On just a two-play drive, Robby Ashford connected with Hernandez for a 70-yard touchdown strike, making it 21–9 and seemingly putting the game out of reach. (ESPN.com)

Fourth Quarter: Deacons close the book

North Carolina managed another Verhoff field goal (47 yards) in the fourth, to cut the gap to 21–12 with plenty of time still remaining. (ACC)

Yet with 22 seconds left, Wake Forest iced the win when Ashford plunged in from 2 yards out (after a 10-play, 55-yard drive) to stretch the final margin to 28–12. (ESPN.com)

Final Stats & Key Takeaways

Team Totals

Individual Highlights

• Robby Ashford (WF): 15-of-25 passing for 191 yards and 1 TD; added the 2-yard rushing TD. (Wake Forest University Athletics)
• Carlos Hernandez (WF): 6 catches for 100 yards, 2 TDs (one a scoop-and-score on a fumble, one 70-yard bomb). (San Mateo Daily Journal)
• Demond Claiborne (WF): 98 rushing yards, 1 TD. (Wake Forest University Athletics)
• Gio Lopez (UNC): 21-of-36 for 201 yards passing. (ESPN.com)
• Rece Verhoff (UNC): Four field goals (40, 57, 42, 47 yards) — set a school record with the 57-yard FG. Two attempts blocked. (ESPN.com)

Game Narrative & Analysis

1. Wake’s physicalness and big-play ability
Wake Forest deliberately imposed its will, rushing for 223 yards and converting chunk plays (the 51-yard opening run, the 70-yard pass). Coach Jake Dickert emphasized the mindset: “Our physicality took over and I thought our mentality took over … This is a gutty, gritty team.” (San Mateo Daily Journal)

2. North Carolina’s red-zone failure
UNC got into position, but failed to finish. The Tar Heels had multiple red-zone trips yet came away with field goals instead of touchdowns, a key difference in the game. “We need to finish those drives,” Belichick said. (SI)

3. Turnovers + special teams swing
Wake benefitted from a early fumble recovery (turned into Hernandez’s 51-yard TD), and blocked kicks factored in. Carolina’s two blocked field goals and inability to score a TD loomed large. (San Mateo Daily Journal)

4. Balance in the three phases
Offense: Wake mixed the pass and run effectively.
Defense: Held UNC to 12 points, 56 rushing yards, and 4-14 on third down. (ESPN.com)
Special Teams: Carolina’s struggles in kicking and blocking hurt them.

Implications & Looking Ahead

• Wake Forest improves to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the ACC, securing a seventh win and keeping pace for a strong season finish. (Wake Forest University Athletics)
• North Carolina drops to 4-6 (2-4 in the ACC) and now must win its final two games to reach bowl eligibility in Belichick’s first season as head coach. (CBS Sports)
• Wake has now held back-to-back opponents without a touchdown, a promising sign for the program’s momentum.
• For UNC: The offense must show marked improvement, particularly in the red zone, and stop shooting itself in the foot with special-teams miscues.

Post­Game Quotes

• Coach Jake Dickert (Wake Forest): “Our physicality took over and I thought our mentality took over … This is a gutty, gritty team.” (San Mateo Daily Journal)
• Coach Bill Belichick (North Carolina): “Just not good enough in any area — offense, defense, special teams, coaching, playing. We just didn’t have a good night, and certainly wasn’t enough here.” (On3)