Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez does it all for four TDs
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Xavier Andrade,
- October 12, 2026
Gio Lopez highlights recap of Latinos in College Football
Ever since arriving at Wake Forest and taking command of the offense, Gio Lopez has steadily emerged as one of the ACC’s most efficient quarterbacks. He’s a highlight waiting to happen through the air and on the ground.
The Madison, Ala., native delivered one of his best performances yet in Week 6.
Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown in Wake Forest’s 38-14 win over NC State. He picked apart the Wolfpack defense with accuracy and decision-making, finishing with a 78.8 completion percentage.
Lopez’s performance against NC State earned him Our Esquina’s Latino Player of the Week honors in Week 6 of the college football season, recognizing another standout effort in Wake Forest’s impressive start.
Gio Lopez is ‘that guy’
“I think Gio Lopez is that guy,” Wake Forest’s Head Coach Jake Dickert said. “One incompletion in the second half. He’s a hell of a leader.”
Kansas defensive end David Santiago forced a fumble when he sacked Utah quarterback Devon Dampier. The junior finished with six tackles in the Jayhawks’ 41-24 loss.
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Houston kicker Jonathan Dimas converted on all five of his extra point attempts in a 35-16 win over Kansas State. Kansas State kicker Luis Rodriguez made a 29-yard field goal and one extra point kick in the loss.
Tony Rojas gets 10 tackles
Linebacker Tony Rojas had a game-high 10 tackles and one sack for Penn State in a 31-23 loss to USC. Michigan State defensive back Nikai Martinez made nine tackles in a 38-37 loss to Illinois.
Wide Receiver Tony Diaz caught three passes for 23 yards with one rushing attempt for 10 yards for Iowa in a 41-24 win over Washington. Washington kicker Tyler Robles made a 30-yard field goal in the Huskies’ loss.
Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez recorded two tackles in a 45-16 win over Maryland. Safety Peyton Woodyard made four tackles in Oregon’s 17-15 loss to UCLA.
Baker’s Dozen for Nicholas Rodriguez
Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez continued his dominance. The junior had a game-high 13 tackles in Missouri’s 27-6 win over Texas A&M. Kicker David Olano went two for two on field goal attempts, keeping his perfect field goal streak alive in the Aggies’ loss.
Ole Miss safety Joenel Aguero made one tackle while Jonathan Maldonado recorded two tackles in a 52-17 victory against Vanderbilt. Kentucky tight end Willie Rodriguez caught six passes for 25 yards in a 35-34 upset win over LSU.
UTSA receiver David Amador II led the Roadrunners with a game-high nine catches for 70 yards in a 31-24 victory over USF. Nico Gramatica made a 24-yard field goal and three PATs in the loss. Stanford linebacker Jahsiah Galvan made eight tackles in a 58-7 defeat to Notre Dame.
Carlos Hernandez and Gio Lopez continued to shine as a duo for Wake Forest in a 38-14 win over NC State. Lopez threw for a game-high 303 passing yards and four total touchdowns. Hernandez caught 12 of Lopez’ passes for 117 yards and one touchdown.
Jaxton Santiago burns Dartmouth
Yale tight end Jaxton Santiago had 13 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 victory over Dartmouth. Linebacker Jacob Cruz made three tackles in Jacksonville State’s 27-26 win over Kennesaw State.
Quarterback Alberto Mendoza completed 23 of his 30 pass attempts for 218 yards and one touchdown in Georgia Tech’s 28-25 win over Duke.
Freshman wide receiver Josh Rodriguez returned one kick for 31 yards while recording two receptions for 13 yards in Old Dominion’s 10-3 win over App State. Steven Blanco carried the ball eight times for 36 yards in Louisiana’s 32-31 win against Louisiana Tech.
James Madison kicker Morgan Suarez made two field goals and three extra point kicks in the Duke’s 27-24 victory against Georgia Southern.
Xavier Andrade
Xavier Andrade, who played football at Luther College, graduated with degrees in Communications and Political Science. He previously worked in editorial and social media for Hola Cultura, a Latino publication in Washington, D.C. Andrade currently coaches football at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif.
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