Wake Forest Edges SMU in Close Contest
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 12:00 PM ET · Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 13, SMU Mustangs 12, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won SMU Mustangs vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons beat SMU Mustangs 13-12 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on October 25, 2025.
In a thrilling matchup at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons narrowly defeated the SMU Mustangs with a final score of 13-12. This close contest showcased the resilience of both teams and highlighted their contrasting recent forms, making it a noteworthy fixture in the NCAAF landscape.
Wake Forest entered the game with a home record of 5-2 and had been showing signs of improvement, winning their last two games. Their recent form over the last ten games was a mixed bag, with a record of 4-6. However, they had managed to score an average of 26.5 points while allowing 26.2 points per game. In their last five games, they improved their scoring average to 32.8 points while allowing 22.2 points, indicating a positive trend as they approached this matchup.
In contrast, the SMU Mustangs came into the game with a 5-3 record and were riding a three-game winning streak. Their recent performance had been impressive, with a record of 7-3 over their last ten games, averaging 34.1 points scored and allowing only 20.5 points per game. This strong form included victories against formidable opponents, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
When examining their performances at home versus away, Wake Forest had a home record of 2-4, while SMU boasted a solid away record of 3-1. This disparity added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as Wake Forest sought to leverage their home-field advantage against a confident SMU team.
The two teams had met previously, but the specifics of those encounters were not detailed in the block. However, the current form of both teams suggested that this matchup could go either way, with Wake Forest looking to solidify their home dominance and SMU aiming to extend their winning streak.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details about player availability, but such factors often play a crucial role in determining the outcome of games at this level. Fans and analysts alike would have been keen to see how any absences might affect the strategies employed by both coaches.
The betting market had priced Wake Forest as the favorite, reflecting their home advantage and recent form, but the odds were not specified in the block. This suggests that the game was anticipated to be competitive, with both teams having clear paths to victory.
Conditions during the game were not detailed, but typical factors such as weather and field conditions can significantly influence gameplay in college football. Fans were likely to watch for how these elements affected the teams' strategies and execution on the field.
As the game unfolded, viewers would have kept an eye on key players from both sides, particularly those who had been instrumental in their recent successes. Wake Forest's ability to maintain their scoring while tightening their defense was a critical aspect to observe, especially against an SMU team that had been prolific in their recent outings.
Ultimately, the game concluded with Wake Forest edging out SMU in a nail-biting finish, highlighting the competitive nature of college football and the unpredictable outcomes that can arise in closely matched contests.
Leaders
- Passing yardsDeshawn Purdie14/26, 183 YDS, 2 INTWake Forest Demon Deacons
- Rushing yardsDemond Claiborne23 CAR, 73 YDSWake Forest Demon Deacons
- Receiving yardsChris Barnes5 REC, 66 YDSWake Forest Demon Deacons
- Passing yardsKevin Jennings21/39, 171 YDS, 1 INTSMU Mustangs
- Rushing yardsChris Johnson Jr.8 CAR, 29 YDSSMU Mustangs
- Receiving yardsRJ Maryland2 REC, 51 YDSSMU Mustangs
Recent form
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last 10: 4-6Streak W226.5 scored · 26.2 allowed per game2-4 at home
- W39-14at Oregon State BeaversOct 11
- W30-23at Virginia Tech HokiesOct 4
- L29-30vs Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsSep 27
- L24-34vs NC State WolfpackSep 11
- W42-10vs Western Carolina CatamountsSep 6
- W10-9vs Kennesaw State OwlsAug 29
- L17-23vs Duke Blue DevilsNov 30
- L14-42at Miami HurricanesNov 23
- L24-31at North Carolina Tar HeelsNov 17
- L36-46vs California Golden BearsNov 9
SMU Mustangs
Last 10: 7-3Streak W334.1 scored · 20.5 allowed per game3-1 away
- W35-24at Clemson TigersOct 18
- W34-10vs Stanford CardinalOct 11
- W31-18vs Syracuse OrangeOct 4
- L24-35at TCU Horned FrogsSep 20
- W28-10at Missouri State BearsSep 13
- L45-48vs Baylor BearsSep 6
- W42-13vs East Texas A&M LionsAug 31
- L31-34vs Clemson TigersDec 8
- W38-6vs California Golden BearsNov 30
- W33-7at Virginia CavaliersNov 23
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Florida State | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| North Carolina | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Stanford | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Boston College | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| California | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Clemson | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Duke | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Georgia Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Louisville | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Miami | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Pittsburgh | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| SMU | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Syracuse | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Virginia Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Wake Forest | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| NC State | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Box score
| Stat | SMU Mustangs | Wake Forest Demon Deacons |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 8 | 17 |
| Third downs | 4-17 | 6-18 |
| Fourth downs | 0-1 | 1-2 |
| Total yards | 246 | 301 |
| Net passing yards | 171 | 216 |
| Completions | 21/39 | 18/37 |
| Yards per pass | 4.4 | 5.8 |
| Rushing yards | 75 | 85 |
| Rushing attempts | 28 | 35 |
| Yards per rush | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Penalties | 5-50 | 6-51 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 5 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 3 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:38 | 32:22 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons, below favours SMU Mustangs.
Venue
- Allegacy Federal Credit Union StadiumWinston-Salem, NC
- Attendance28358
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