GAME RECAP: Wake Forest Dominates Cal 41-7 in Berkeley

BERKELEY, Calif. — California Memorial Stadium spent Saturday night in blue and gold and still could not keep the Demon Deacons from turning it into a rout before the half.

Wake Forest walked out of Berkeley with a 41-7 win over California, a road result built on 4 touchdown passes from Gio Lopez, 2 early rushing scores, and a defense that held the Golden Bears scoreless until the fourth quarter. The Demon Deacons improve to 6-1 and 4-1 in the ACC. California falls to 3-4 and 2-2. It was a thorough performance that put the Deacons in control from the opening series.

Wake Forest opened the way an ACC road team is supposed to open a night game. 5 plays, 99 yards. Lopez found Dominick Barry from 39 yards out at 8:20 of the first. Connor Calvert converted. Wake Forest 7, California 0.

Lopez struck again almost immediately. 1 play, 34 yards. He hit Jack Foley from 29 yards out at 6:15. Calvert made it 14-0. The Deacons had the lead and the building had quieted.

The second quarter belonged to the ground game and then Lopez again. 11 plays, 78 yards. Jamar Searcy finished it from 1 yard out at 11:55. 21-0. Ty Clark III broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run (two-point failed). 27-0. Lopez then found Barry again from 30 yards out with 9 seconds left in the half. 34-0. Wake Forest had scored touchdowns on 5 of 6 first-half possessions and led by 5 scores at the break.

Lopez added 1 more in the third. 7 plays, 45 yards. He hit Barry from 2 yards out at 2:57. Calvert made it 41-0. California finally answered in the fourth when Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele found Mason Mini from 28 yards out at 8:29. Towns McGough converted to make it 41-7. That was the only score the Bears managed.

The box score is the part that will travel on Sunday. Wake Forest finished with roughly 509 total yards (289 pass, 220 rush). California managed 266 (191 pass, 75 rush). Lopez went 16-of-23 for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions. Dominick Barry caught 4 balls for 102 yards and 3 scores. Jamar Searcy added 5 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. Ty Clark III had 8 carries for 53 yards and a score. Lopez also ran for 51 yards. California’s offense never found rhythm until the garbage time touchdown.

California Memorial Stadium is supposed to be a difficult place for visitors. Saturday it was the place where Lopez accounted for 4 scores, the Deacons scored on their first 4 possessions, and Wake Forest left Berkeley with a 34-point win.

Player of the Game: Gio Lopez. 16 completions for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns, 3 of them to Dominick Barry, and the dual-threat efficiency that turned a road game into a first-half blowout.