The Week 2 encounter between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons is set to unfold at the Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM, this game will be broadcast on ACC. Wake Forest enters the game with a home advantage and a season-opening win under their belt.
Western Carolina comes into the game with a 0-1 record after facing a challenging opener against North Carolina State. Despite a solid performance with 241 passing yards and zero interceptions, they struggled to keep up with NC State’s offensive output. The Catamounts will be eager to secure their first win of the season.
Wake Forest, meanwhile, started their season strong with a narrow 10-9 victory over Kennesaw State. The Demon Deacons displayed a balanced offensive attack, accumulating 218 passing yards and 139 rushing yards. With momentum from their opening win, Wake Forest looks to continue their positive start in front of their home crowd.
Wake Forest vs Western Carolina At a Glance
- Game Location: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC
- Western Carolina Record: 0-1 this season
- Wake Forest Record: 1-0 this season
- Game Odds: Wake Forest is heavily favored with a moneyline of -1000
- Kickoff Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Broadcast Information: Watch the game on ACC
Wake Forest Demon Deacons: A Detailed Look at the Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have shown a solid offensive performance this season. They currently rank 44th in points scored with 10 and 67th in passing yards, accumulating 218. Their rushing game also holds a steady position at 71st with 139 yards.
In the previous season, the Deacons put up 308 points, ranking them 73rd. They displayed consistent passing ability with 2881 yards, holding the 66th spot. Their rushing game, though, was less impressive at 98th with 1598 yards.
Defensive Standouts
Defensively, Wake Forest has been exceptionally strong, allowing only 9 points, ranking them 5th in the nation. Their pass rush is notable with 2 sacks, placing them 6th. They have yet to record any interceptions or recover fumbles this season.
Last season, their defense struggled, allowing 390 points, ranking them 128th. They managed to achieve 20 sacks, ranking 30th, and recorded 11 interceptions, earning them a spot at 12th. Their fumble recoveries were also commendable with 6, placing them 10th.
Key Players to Watch
Robby Ashford leads the Demon Deacons as quarterback, with 218 passing yards in the opening game. Ty Clark III emerged as a key player in the backfield, contributing 37 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Karate Brenson stands out in the receiving corps with 41 yards.
On the defensive side, the team will look to maintain their impressive start. Their focus will likely be on sustaining the pressure on opposing quarterbacks and bolstering their turnover statistics.
Recent Performance
Wake Forest secured a narrow victory over Kennesaw State Owls with a 10-9 scoreline. The game highlighted their defensive prowess, limiting their opponent to just 149 passing yards. However, their rushing defense saw Kennesaw State accumulate 158 yards.
Despite the tight scoreline, Wake Forest showed their ability to control the game with 20 first downs compared to the Owls’ 18. The team’s discipline was evident as they committed no fumbles or interceptions.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Night Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS in Home Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 0-1 (0.0%)
Western Carolina Catamounts: A Look at the Season’s Performance
Team Overview
The Western Carolina Catamounts had a challenging start to their season, suffering a defeat against the North Carolina State Wolfpack with a score of 38-21. This game at Carter-Finley Stadium saw the Catamounts trailing in several key statistical areas. Their performance in this game highlights areas that may require improvement as the season progresses.
Offensive Analysis
The Catamounts managed to score 21 points in their season opener, placing them 124th in the nation. Their passing game produced 241 yards, but this effort ranks them at 150th overall. The rushing game also left room for growth, with just 123 yards, ranking 174th nationally.
First downs were a struggle for the Catamounts, as they secured only 16 during their game against the Wolfpack. This result placed them 113rd in terms of first downs gained. Improvement in sustaining drives could be a key focus for their offensive unit moving forward.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, the Catamounts allowed 38 points, a statistic that ties them at 12th nationally in points against. Their ability to pressure the quarterback resulted in one sack, which placed them 45th in the nation. However, their capacity to force turnovers through interceptions stands out, ranking them 2nd nationally with one interception.
Fumble recoveries were non-existent in their first game, as they failed to recover any. Despite this, their ranking of 16th in this category suggests potential, should they focus on improving this aspect of their defensive play.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Cole Gonzales showed promise, throwing for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the opening game. On the receiving end, AJ Colombo made a significant impact with nine receptions and a touchdown. The running game was led by Branson Adams, who rushed for 30 yards and scored a touchdown.
In the passing game, Jake Young also contributed with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. As the season progresses, the performance of these players will be crucial for the Catamounts’ success.
Betting Trends
- The Catamounts have struggled to cover the spread in recent games.
- Games involving the Catamounts have often hit the over on points totals.
- The Catamounts have performed better against the spread when playing on the road.
Wake Forest vs Western Carolina Prediction: Under 61.5
Wake Forest’s offense has shown a moderate output in their recent game, scoring 10 points. Meanwhile, Western Carolina’s defense allowed 38 points in their previous matchup, indicating potential struggles on that side of the ball. The combination of these factors suggests the game might not reach the high total set by sportsbooks.
Considering Western Carolina’s offensive stats, they averaged 21 points in the 2024 season, while Wake Forest’s defense currently ranks 5th with only 9 points allowed this season. This defensive strength could limit Western Carolina’s scoring opportunities. Therefore, it seems unlikely the total score will surpass the set mark.
Wake Forest’s total points scored in their first game was considerably lower than the line of 61.5 points. The Demon Deacons have maintained a strong defensive performance, which could result in a lower scoring game. This trend leads to a prediction leaning towards the under.
Given the data and current season performances, the game between Wake Forest and Western Carolina is projected to end with a score that does not reach 61.5 total points. The projected score aligns with a lower scoring game.
- Wake Forest vs Western Carolina Prediction: Under 61.5
- Wake Forest vs Western Carolina Score: Wake Forest 28 – Western Carolina 17
