CORVALLIS, Ore. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons delivered a commanding and lopsided 39 to 14 victory over the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday at Reser Stadium, handing the beleaguered home team its sixth consecutive loss.

The result was a shock to prognosticators, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected an Oregon State win by a score of 31 to 23, and its ELO system gave the Beavers a 56.4 percent probability of victory. Oregon State had been installed as a 2.5-point pregame favorite.

Wake Forest, now 3-2 on the season, seized control from the opening kickoff and never relented, building a 39 to nothing lead before Oregon State, which fell to 0-6, managed to find the end zone twice in the final quarter long after the outcome had been decided.

The Demon Deacons’ offense operated with ruthless efficiency in the first half. Quarterback Deshawn Purdie connected with receiver Chris Barnes for a 36-yard touchdown on Wake Forest’s opening drive, setting the tone for the afternoon. Just over four minutes later, Purdie found Micah Mays Jr. on a 52-yard scoring strike, extending the lead.

Purdie finished the day with four touchdown passes, adding an 11-yard connection with Barnes in the second quarter and a 55-yard bomb to Barnes in the third. Purdie completed 14 of 27 passes for 270 yards.

Barnes was his primary weapon, amassing 102 receiving yards on just three catches, all of which resulted in touchdowns. He also contributed 63 return yards.

Complementing the aerial assault was a dominant ground game led by Demond Claiborne. The running back gashed the Oregon State defense for 144 yards on 16 carries, including a 66-yard touchdown dash in the fourth quarter. He added 26 receiving yards.

Defensively, Wake Forest stifled the Beavers for three quarters. Linebacker Nick Andersen led the team with nine tackles, while Langston Hardy and Quincy Bryant each added seven. Hardy and Nuer Gatkuoth each recorded a sack, with Gatkuoth also intercepting a pass.

Oregon State’s offense, by contrast, was plagued by inconsistency and mistakes. The team utilized two quarterbacks, with starter Maalik Murphy completing 13 of 30 passes for 130 yards and an interception. Gabarri Johnson relieved him, going 6 for 12 for 45 yards and a late touchdown.

The Beavers’ lone bright spot was running back Anthony Hankerson, who ground out 101 yards on 22 carries. The team’s scoring came late, with Cornell Hatcher Jr. breaking a 29-yard run for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Johnson then capped a long, methodical drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to David Wells Jr., who finished with six catches for 58 yards.

The Oregon State defense was on the field for the majority of the game, led by Aiden Sullivan’s eight tackles and Jaheim Patterson’s seven. The unit, however, could not contain Wake Forest’s big-play capability.

The Demon Deacons will look to build on this decisive road win when they host SMU on Oct. 25. Oregon State, still in search of its first victory, will host Lafayette on Oct. 18.