The Wake Forest vs California matchup ended in a dominant 41-7 victory for No. 21 Wake Forest over the California Golden Bears on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Quarterback Gio Lopez delivered an outstanding performance, throwing four touchdown passes to lead the Demon Deacons to their sixth win of the season.

Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1 ACC) controlled the game from the opening drive, building a commanding 34-0 halftime lead. California (3-4, 2-2 ACC) struggled to contain the visitors’ explosive offense and managed only one touchdown, which came in the fourth quarter.

The result strengthened Wake Forest’s position in the ACC standings and marked an impressive road victory for a team celebrating its first AP Top 25 ranking in four years.

Wake Forest vs California Final Score

 

 

 

 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

No. 21 · 6-1 overall

41

 

 

 

 

 

California Golden Bears

3-4 overall

7

 

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Wake Forest	14	20	7	0	41
California	0	0	0	7	7

Gio Lopez Leads Wake Forest Football With Four Touchdown Passes

Gio Lopez was the standout performer in the Wake Forest vs California game, demonstrating his accuracy and ability to make big plays throughout the first half.

The Wake Forest quarterback completed 16 of 23 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Three of his touchdown passes came before halftime, helping the Demon Deacons establish a lead that California could not overcome.

Lopez connected with tight end Dominick Barry for three touchdowns and also found Jack Foley for a 29-yard scoring play. His performance increased his season total to 23 combined passing and rushing touchdowns.

The quarterback’s ability to distribute the ball effectively helped Wake Forest maintain offensive momentum and punish California’s defensive mistakes.

Wake Forest vs California Game Highlights

Wake Forest wasted little time establishing control. The Demon Deacons scored touchdowns on five of their six first-half possessions, turning the contest into a one-sided affair.

The opening touchdown came on a five-play, 99-yard drive. Lopez found Dominick Barry for a 39-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

California’s offense then struggled to respond. After the Golden Bears failed to convert a fourth-and-1 opportunity near their own 34-yard line, Wake Forest quickly capitalized. Lopez connected with Jack Foley on a 29-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 14-0.

The Demon Deacons continued their offensive assault in the second quarter. Jamar Searcy scored on a 1-yard run to make it 21-0, while Ty Clark III added a 31-yard rushing touchdown.

Lopez and Barry connected again for a 30-yard touchdown just before halftime, sending Wake Forest into the locker room with a commanding 34-0 lead.

Wake Forest added another touchdown in the third quarter when Lopez found Barry for a 2-yard scoring pass. California finally avoided a shutout in the fourth quarter, when Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele connected with Mason Mini for a 28-yard touchdown.

The late score made it 41-7, but the Golden Bears had no realistic opportunity to mount a comeback.

Wake Forest vs California Player Stats

The individual statistics from the game highlighted Wake Forest’s offensive efficiency and California’s difficulties moving the ball consistently.

Despite California having the ball for more than 32 minutes, Wake Forest made significantly better use of its possessions. The Demon Deacons generated 509 total yards and did not commit a turnover.

Gio Lopez: Wake Forest quarterback

• Passing: 16 of 23

• Passing yards: 267

• Passing touchdowns: 4

• Interceptions: 0

Dominick Barry: Wake Forest tight end

• Receptions: 4

• Receiving yards: 102

• Receiving touchdowns: 3

Barry was Lopez’s most productive receiving target, repeatedly exploiting California’s defense for crucial scores.

Jamar Searcy: Wake Forest running back

• Rushing attempts: 5

• Rushing yards: 61

• Rushing touchdowns: 1

Searcy contributed to the balanced offensive performance with an important rushing touchdown in the second quarter.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele: California quarterback

• Passing: 15 of 18

• Passing yards: 110

• Passing touchdowns: 1

Sagapolutele entered the game in the second half and threw California’s only touchdown pass. His appearance came after Jackson Brousseau started at quarterback in his second career start.

Brousseau finished 17 of 28 for 81 yards before being replaced. California coach Tosh Lupoi indicated that the quarterback competition could continue, leaving the position as an important storyline for the Golden Bears.

Why Wake Forest Dominated Cal Football

The biggest difference in the game was Wake Forest’s ability to turn offensive opportunities into touchdowns. The Demon Deacons scored 34 points in the first half and outgained California 394-142 before the break.

Their explosive passing attack consistently created problems for the Golden Bears. Lopez’s connections with Barry and Foley stretched the defense, while Searcy and Clark added important rushing contributions.

California, meanwhile, could not establish enough offensive rhythm to keep pace. The Golden Bears failed to score in the first three quarters and converted only one of their four fourth-down attempts.

Although California recorded 20 first downs and held a slight advantage in possession time, those numbers did not translate into meaningful scoring opportunities.

The Golden Bears also struggled with penalties, committing 11 for 110 yards. Wake Forest’s clean ball security and efficient third-down offense helped the visitors maintain control from start to finish.

Wake Forest vs California Prediction: What the Result Tells Us

The pregame Wake Forest vs California prediction favored the Demon Deacons, who entered the contest with a stronger record and the momentum of a successful season. Wake Forest was listed as an 8.5-point favorite in the supplied opening odds, while California entered as the underdog.

The final 41-7 score went well beyond that projected margin.

Wake Forest’s performance demonstrated why the team had earned a national ranking. Its passing game produced explosive plays, the rushing attack supplied additional touchdowns, and the defense kept California scoreless until the fourth quarter.

For California, the result raised concerns about quarterback consistency, defensive execution and the team’s ability to compete against highly ranked ACC opponents.

Looking ahead, Wake Forest will aim to maintain its strong conference position, while California will need a much-improved performance to recover from the heavy defeat.

Wake Forest University Football Improves to 6-1

The victory moved Wake Forest to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Demon Deacons continued to build a strong résumé with another road win against a power-conference opponent.

Wake Forest’s first AP Top 25 ranking in four years added significance to the result. A convincing win over California gave the team another opportunity to demonstrate that it could compete with the nation’s leading programs.

The Demon Deacons are scheduled to host Virginia on October 31, giving them an opportunity to build on their momentum.

What’s Next for California Golden Bears Football?

California fell to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in ACC competition following the defeat. The Golden Bears had entered the game encouraged by their dramatic 25-20 victory over Virginia Tech, but they could not carry that momentum into the matchup with Wake Forest.

The immediate focus will be the team’s upcoming road game against No. 24 SMU. California will need stronger offensive production and a more consistent defensive performance to challenge another ranked opponent.

The quarterback situation will also be worth watching. Lupoi’s decision to start Brousseau and later use Sagapolutele leaves questions about who will lead the offense moving forward.

Where to Watch Wake Forest vs California

The game was played at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with ESPN2 listed as the broadcast channel in the supplied game information.

The matchup is now complete, with Wake Forest earning a decisive 41-7 victory. Fans looking for the full game recap can review the scoring summary, player statistics and highlights to see how the Demon Deacons built their commanding lead.

Final Takeaway

The Wake Forest vs California game was a statement victory for the No. 21 Demon Deacons. Gio Lopez threw four touchdown passes, Dominick Barry caught three scoring passes, and Wake Forest built a 34-0 halftime advantage before finishing with a 41-7 win.

The result improved Wake Forest’s record to 6-1 and strengthened its position in the ACC standings. California, meanwhile, must regroup before its next challenging conference matchup against SMU.

For Wake Forest football, the dominant road performance provided further evidence that the team could be a serious contender in the ACC as the 2026 college football season continues.