---
title: "Wake Forests Langston Hardy named weekly defensive honor"
url: https://www.hereobx.com/2026/10/13/wake-forest-langston-hardy-defensive-honor/
date: 2026-10-13T09:48:13-04:00
modified: 2026-10-13T09:48:13-04:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Outer Banks"
attribution: "HERE Outer Banks"
---

# Wake Forests Langston Hardy named weekly defensive honor

> WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest redshirt senior defensive lineman Langston Hardy was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Shriners Childrens East-West Bowl on Monday after helping the Demon Deacons beat NC State 38-14 on Saturday in Raleigh. Hardy matched linebacker Vincent Firenze for the team lead with eight tackles and four solo stops,

*Source: [HERE Outer Banks](https://www.hereobx.com/2026/10/13/wake-forest-langston-hardy-defensive-honor/) — October 13, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Wake Forest redshirt senior defensive lineman Langston Hardy was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Shriners Childrens East-West Bowl on Monday after helping the Demon Deacons beat NC State 38-14 on Saturday in Raleigh.

Hardy matched linebacker Vincent Firenze for the team lead with eight tackles and four solo stops, added a team-high two tackles for loss, and recorded 1.5 sacks. The Jacksonville, Fla., native is a Wake Forest captain.

The Deacons outscored the Wolfpack 28-0 after halftime. Quarterback Gio Lopez finished with 313 total yards and four touchdowns, including three scores in the third quarter, as Wake Forest improved to 5-1 and 3-1 in the ACC. NC State fell to 3-3 and 1-2.

Wake Forests margin was its largest road win in Raleigh over NC State in 83 years. The Demon Deacons next play at California on Oct. 17 in a late national window. NC State is off until a Friday night trip to Stanford on Oct. 23.

Hardys honor caps a defensive afternoon that flipped a 14-10 halftime deficit into a runaway. Firenze forced an early fumble that set up Wake Forests first score, and the front kept pressure on NC State after the break as Lopez piled up scoring drives.

For a Wake Forest defense riding a strong start, the weekly award puts a statewide spotlight on the captain who set the tone in a Big Four rivalry win on the road in Raleigh.

Lopez completed long scoring strikes to Carlos Hernandez and Jack Foley before finishing a short quarterback run and handing Deuce Lawrence a 17-yard touchdown that sealed the 38-14 final.