CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – November 9, 2025 – In a hard‑fought, low‑scoring affair at Scott Stadium, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons upset the Virginia Cavaliers—ranked No. 12 nationally—by a final score of 16‑9. The victory not only handed Virginia its first loss in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season, but also secured bowl eligibility for Wake Forest under first‑year head coach Jake Dickert.
Key Moments That Tilted the Game
The decisive play came in the third quarter when Wake Forest’s junior returner Carlos Hernandez fielded a bouncing punt and raced 88 yards for the game’s only touchdown, shifting momentum in favor of the Demon Deacons. Two long‑range field goals by kicker Connor Calvert—from 50 and 49 yards—added eight points in the second half and proved critical.
Virginia’s offense faced early disruption when starting quarterback Chandler Morris exited with a head‑and‑neck injury in the second quarter. Backup Daniel Kaelin entered and completed 18 of 28 passes for 145 yards, yet the Cavaliers managed only three field goals—again failing to find the end zone. Virginia recorded three fumbles, including two by Kaelin, while Wake Forest forced key turnovers and stood firm in red‑zone defense.
Strategic Implications for Both Programs
For Wake Forest:
- The Deacons improve to 6‑3 overall and 3‑3 in the ACC, marking a watershed road win at a high‑ranking program.
- This victory is their first over a top‑15 opponent since 1979 and comes amid defensive resurgence and special‑teams impact.
- Coach Dickert becomes the first in program history to lead the Deacons to bowl eligibility in his inaugural season.
For Virginia:
- The Cavaliers drop to 8‑2 and 5‑1 in conference play; their seven‑game winning streak ends and questions emerge about depth and execution under adversity.
- Being held without a touchdown for the first time since 2022 exposes offensive limitations, particularly given key injuries and turnovers.
- Their playoff résumé now faces a bump—momentum and perception may shift in a tightly contested ACC.
What to Watch Moving Forward
- Wake Forest hosts North Carolina next weekend, aiming to build on this breakthrough win and maintain momentum toward postseason relevance.
- Virginia travels to Duke, where the offense must rebound and re‑establish scoring rhythm if the Cavaliers intend to remain in contention for the ACC title.
- Individually, Hernandez’s game‑changing return and Calvert’s clutch kicking will get renewed spotlight. Virginia’s quarterback situation and ball‑security issues will demand urgent attention.
Final Thoughts
What unfolded in Charlottesville was more than a win for Wake Forest—it was a statement of resilience, strategy, and opportunism. The Demon Deacons found a way despite offensive limitations, leaning on defense and special teams to upset a high‑ranking rival. Virginia, meanwhile, discovered that even deep rosters and lofty rankings require steadiness and precision when the stakes rise. On Saturday night, Wake Forest didn’t just upset—they earned meaningful momentum.
— Reporting for SportBuzzHub.com, November 9, 2025
