No. 15 Wake Forest rushes past Army, 45-10

Updated Oct. 8, 2022 10:50 p.m. ET

Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Christian Turner had two of No. 15 Wake Forest’s four rushing touchdowns in a 45-10 victory over Army on Saturday night.

The Demon Deacons (5-1) put on an early clinic in rushing offense against an Army team that favors an all-out running attack. Justice Ellison led Wake Forest running backs with 96 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.

Sam Hartman threw a touchdown pass on his way to 246 yards on 13-for-19 passing.

Wake Forest, which won for the second week in a row following a double-overtime loss to Clemson, compiled 94 first-quarter rushing yards while claiming a 14-0 lead. The Demon Deacons finished with 267 yards rushing.

Army (1-4) lost in its lone road game across a two-month stretch on the schedule. The Black Knights had 225 rushing yards, led by Ay’Jaun Marshall with 44 on three carries.

The Black Knights finally scored on Jemel Jones’ 20-yard pass to Isaiah Alston in the fourth quarter.

The Demon Deacons scored on Quinton Cooley’s 1-yard, fourth-down run with 2:37 to play in the first half.

Army had 194 yards of first-half offense, but was hurt by two turnovers.

The Black Knights had a couple of strong scoring chances. They fumbled on the game’s first possession inside the Wake Forest 10, resulting in the Demon Deacons’ 91-yard touchdown drive. Another chance went by the wayside on Quinn Maretzki’s missed 42-yard field goal in the third quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Army: The Black Knights weren’t able to sustain drives and they remained winless this season against Football Bowl Subdivision competition. This marked the only nationally ranked team on Army’s schedule this year.

Wake Forest: This was a solid outing for the Demon Deacons prior to an open week on the schedule. The Demon Deacons did most of the pushing around at the line of scrimmage and they’ve reached the midway mark of their regular-season schedule with lots of good vibes.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Wake Forest completed its nonconference slate with a 4-0 mark with the largest margin among those games. Virginia Military Institute, Vanderbilt and Liberty were the other foes. The Demon Deacons likely hold steady in the poll, though there will be chances to move up in November with two games against teams currently in the Top 25.

UP NEXT

Army: Hosts Colgate next Saturday.

Wake Forest: Hosts Boston College on Oct. 22.