Wake Forest takes care of business at home vs. UNC

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Wake Forest takes care of business at home vs. UNC

Zack Pearson, Tar Heels Wire · Tar Heels Wire

Sat, Nov 15, 2025 ·

6 min read

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The North Carolina Tar Heels win streak is officially over at two.

On Saturday, North Carolina went on the road and ran into a good Wake Forest team, falling in Winston-Salem 28-12 to the Demon Deacons.

After Wake Forest got the lead early on a weird fumble recovery play that went 51-yards for a touchdown for a 7-0 lead, they never looked back. The Demon Deacons controlled the game by not allowing a touchdown and blocking two UNC field goal attempts.

Wake Forest rushed for over 210 yards on the day and controlled the game from start to finish. Even when UNC would pull to within a score, the Demon Deacons had an answer.

UNC was able to get the lead down to 14-16 at halftime on a 57-yard field goal from Rece Verhoff as time expired in the first half. But in the second half, UNC's offense couldn't get into a groove. Wake got a 70-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to extend the lead to 21-9 and all but end UNC's hopes. A late touchdown from Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford put the exclamation point on the game.

The Tar Heels are now 4-6 overall and 2-4 in ACC play. They now need to win out against Duke and NC State in the final two weeks to become bowl eligible.

FINAL: Wake Forest 28, UNC 12

North Carolina adds another field goal to trim the lead to 21-12

The fourth field goal of the day for Rece Verhoff as UNC's offense is struggling. It's now 21-12 Wake Forest in the fourth.

Another blocked field goal for Wake Forest...

Goodness. The second blocked field goal attempt of the day for Wake Forest as they keep their 21-9 lead over North Carolina.

And..... Wake Forest quickly answers back

Robby Ashford hits Carlos Hernandez for a 70-yard touchdown pass and they are now up 21-9 over North Carolina.

North Carolina gets a field goal. (WAKE FOREST 14, UNC 9)

The third field goal of the day from Rece Verhoff, a 42-yarder, has cut the Wake Forest lead down to 14-9.

UNC gets a HUGE stop on defense

Facing a fourth-and-two, Wake Forest opts to go for it while in field goal range. But UNC's defense does the job and holds. It's still 14-6 Demon Deacons in the third quarter.

North Carolina's offense struggles early in the second half

Ugh. Much more of the same from the first half. North Carolina's offense goes three-and-out to start the second half. UNC's offense continues to struggle.

HALFTIME: Wake Forest 14, UNC 6

Some news out of halftime. UNC says that Rece Verhoff's 57-yard field goal is not only a career long but a program record as well.

Verhoff's kick is GOOD!

North Carolina gets points right before the half. Rece Verhoff's kick curves back left and BARELY falls just left of the right upright. UNC now trails 14-6 in a rough first half.

Demond Claiborne for six...UNC deficit grows larger

Wake Forest adds to the lead right before halftime. Running back Demond Claiborne goes 12 yards for the score and they lead 14-3.

UNC's field goal is blocked

UNC gets a BIG play!

The Tar Heels recover a Wake Forest fumble deep in Demon Deacons territory. Let's see if they can take advantage of it!

UNC punts the football away...Wake pinned deep again

Almost picked...two straight defensive stops!

Rece Verhoff gets UNC on the board!

End of the first quarter: Wake Forest 7, UNC 0

It was a rough first quarter for the Tar Heels. They now trail Wake Forest 7-0 after the first 15 and they have work to do.

First stop of the day! Now time to capitalize

Maginness pins Wake Forest deep

UNC has to punt on their first drive

The Tar Heels can't answer the Wake Forest scoring drive and have to punt the ball back to the Demon Deacons.

Wake Forest on the board first with a weird touchdown

You really can't make this up. Wake Forest scores a 50-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery. Robby Ashford fumbled and Wake Forest not only recovered but goes 50 yards on the weird play. It's 7-0 Demon Deacons.