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NCAAF · Final

Wake Forest Edges Louisville in Thrilling Finish

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 30, Louisville Cardinals 27, 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 Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Louisville Cardinals?

Wake Forest Demon Deacons beat Louisville Cardinals 30-27 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 26, 2026.

Who was favored in Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Louisville Cardinals?

Louisville Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -485 (about 83% implied). The underdog won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons triumphed over the Louisville Cardinals with a final score of 30-27. This game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, particularly as Wake Forest improved its record to 4-1, while Louisville fell to 2-3. The fixture took place at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, where the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

Both teams came into this game with contrasting recent performances. Louisville had been on a two-game winning streak, having secured victories against the SMU Mustangs and Villanova Wildcats, scoring an impressive average of 37.0 points in their last five outings. In contrast, Wake Forest had a record of 3-2 in their last five games, with an average of 36.0 points scored but struggling defensively, allowing an average of 29.6 points. This matchup was pivotal for both teams as they sought to establish momentum in the season.

At home, Louisville had a record of 4-2, while their away performance stood at 2-2. Their home games had seen them score an average of 32.0 points and allow 23.3 points per game. Conversely, Wake Forest's away record was 3-2, having averaged 28.3 points scored and 23.7 points allowed in their games.

The game was marked by a series of lead changes and critical plays. Louisville had come into the game with a strong offensive showing in their previous matches, but Wake Forest's ability to adapt and respond under pressure was evident. The Demon Deacons' recent form included a tough loss to the Miami Hurricanes, but they managed to bounce back with a gritty performance against Louisville.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability, but such factors often play a crucial role in the dynamics of college football games. Fans and analysts alike were keen to see how both teams would adjust their strategies in light of any missing personnel.

The betting lines from DraftKings positioned Louisville as the favorite with a spread of -11.5, indicating expectations for a stronger performance from the Cardinals. The total points line was set at 57.5, reflecting a belief in a potentially high-scoring affair. However, the outcome demonstrated that the game was much closer than anticipated, with Wake Forest defying the odds.

Conditions on the day were likely to have influenced the game, although specific weather details were not provided. Factors such as crowd support, field conditions, and player morale can significantly impact performance in college football.

Viewers were treated to a thrilling encounter, with key moments that highlighted the resilience and skill of both teams. The game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of college football, where any team can emerge victorious on a given day. Wake Forest's ability to capitalize on crucial opportunities ultimately secured them the win, a result that will be discussed in the context of their season's trajectory.

What we said beforehand

The Louisville Cardinals, with a home record of 2-1, are set to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who also hold a record of 2-1, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 26, 2026. This matchup is intriguing as both teams are looking to solidify their standing early in the season. The Cardinals are coming off a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated the SMU Mustangs 41-31 and the Villanova Wildcats 59-13. Their offensive performance has been strong, averaging 37.0 points in their last five games while allowing 24.6 points per game. In contrast, the Demon Deacons are looking to bounce back from a loss against the Miami Hurricanes, where they fell 33-20, marking their first loss of the season after winning their previous two games against Akron and Purdue.

In terms of scoring, the Cardinals have been prolific, led by quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who has thrown for 816 yards and six touchdowns this season. Running back Keyjuan Brown has also contributed significantly, accumulating 231 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals' offense appears to be in good form, particularly at home, where they have averaged 32.0 points while allowing 23.3 points over their last ten home games.

On the other side, Wake Forest's Gio Lopez has thrown for 887 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his ability to lead the offense. The Demon Deacons have averaged 28.3 points per game this season, but their defense has allowed 23.7 points, indicating a potential area of concern as they prepare to face a high-scoring Cardinals team.

Historically, previous meetings between these two teams could provide insight into the upcoming matchup. However, the block does not provide specific details on past encounters. The current odds from DraftKings list Louisville as 11.5-point favorites, with a total set at 57.5 points. This suggests that the market expects a high-scoring affair, reflecting both teams' offensive capabilities.

Weather conditions for the game are favorable, with a temperature of 69°F and no precipitation expected. Wind gusts may reach up to 10 mph, which could have a minor impact on passing and kicking games but should not significantly hinder play.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how Louisville's strong home performance translates against Wake Forest's potent passing attack. The Cardinals' ability to maintain their scoring average while containing Lopez and the Demon Deacons will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this intriguing matchup.

Odds

BookSpreadTotalMoneyline
DraftKingsLOU -11.5 57.5 o -112 / u -108 Wake Forest Demon Deacons +370 · Louisville Cardinals -485

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

  • Passing yardsLincoln Kienholz27/36, 324 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INTLouisville Cardinals
  • Rushing yardsKeyjuan Brown12 CAR, 48 YDSLouisville Cardinals
  • Receiving yardsTre Richardson5 REC, 85 YDSLouisville Cardinals
  • Passing yardsGio Lopez12/19, 225 YDS, 1 TDWake Forest Demon Deacons
  • Rushing yardsTy Clark III21 CAR, 91 YDS, 2 TDWake Forest Demon Deacons
  • Receiving yardsCarlos Hernandez9 REC, 194 YDS, 1 TDWake Forest Demon Deacons

Recent form

Louisville Cardinals

Last 10: 6-4Streak W232 scored · 23.3 allowed per game4-2 at home

  • W41-31vs SMU MustangsSep 19
  • W59-13vs Villanova WildcatsSep 11
  • L38-41at Ole Miss RebelsSep 6
  • W41-0vs Kentucky WildcatsNov 29
  • L6-38at SMU MustangsNov 22
  • L19-20vs Clemson TigersNov 15
  • L26-29vs California Golden BearsNov 9
  • W28-16at Virginia Tech HokiesNov 1
  • W38-24vs Boston College EaglesOct 25
  • W24-21at Miami HurricanesOct 17

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last 10: 7-3Streak L128.3 scored · 23.7 allowed per game3-2 away

  • L20-33vs Miami HurricanesSep 18
  • W38-36at Purdue BoilermakersSep 12
  • W38-16vs Akron ZipsSep 3
  • L32-49at Duke Blue DevilsNov 29
  • W52-14vs Delaware Blue HensNov 22
  • W28-12vs North Carolina Tar HeelsNov 15
  • W16-9at Virginia CavaliersNov 9
  • L7-42at Florida State SeminolesNov 1
  • W13-12vs SMU MustangsOct 25
  • W39-14at Oregon State BeaversOct 11

Standings

TeamOverallIn conference
Miami3-02-0
Clemson3-12-0
Pittsburgh4-01-0
Virginia Tech4-01-0
Duke3-01-0
Virginia2-11-0
Wake Forest3-11-1
Louisville2-21-1
SMU2-11-1
California2-21-1
Georgia Tech1-20-0
North Carolina2-10-1
Boston College2-20-1
Florida State1-20-1
NC State1-20-1
Stanford1-20-2
Syracuse1-20-2

Box score

StatWake Forest Demon DeaconsLouisville Cardinals
First downs2024
Third downs2-107-14
Fourth downs0-10-1
Total yards402399
Net passing yards225324
Completions12/1927/36
Yards per pass11.89.0
Rushing yards17775
Rushing attempts4238
Yards per rush4.22.0
Penalties10-859-90
Turnovers11
Fumbles lost10
Interceptions thrown01
Time of possession26:2633:34

Win probability

Above the line favours Louisville Cardinals, below favours Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Venue

  • L&N Federal Credit Union StadiumLouisville, KY

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Fixture data from the league feeds. The report was written from the recorded facts for this game and nothing else.