Lost at North Carolina 49-24

What worked

Tailback Brandon Pendergrass stepped in for a banged-up Josh Harris - who pulled himself from the game after three carries - and performed well, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Fullback Tommy Bohanon scored his first career rushing touchdown.

What needs work

Too. Many. Turnovers. The Deacons came into the game plus-5 on the season and were minus-4 Saturday. Beaten in every phase of the game, it was an ugly loss for a team that has played so well this season. Explosive receiver Chris Givens was held in check for the first time this season.

What's next

It doesn't get any easier for Wake Forest (5-3 overall, 4-2 ACC), which needs only one win to become bowl eligible. Notre Dame (5-3) comes to Winston-Salem for a highly anticipated 8 p.m. Saturday night kickoff.