CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Backup quarterback Deshawn Purdie threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns for Wake Forest in a 39-14 victory over winless Oregon State on Saturday.

Chris Barnes caught three passes for 102 yards and three scores for the Demon Deacons (4-2, 1-2 ACC).

It was the worst start for the Beavers (0-7, 0-0 Pac-12) since 1991, when they started 0-10.

“The best part about our team is that there is still so much growth to be had. We still have to make those improvements going forward,” Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said. “Proud of our team for coming across the country and getting a win like this today. It’s something that we are going to have to get used to doing.”

Oregon State coach Trent Bray was succinct about his team’s performance.

“Just not good,” Bray said. “Not good on any front.”

Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford was sidelined because of a thumb injury and was replaced by Purdie.

Purdie got off to a good start, throwing a 36-yard touchdown pass to Barnes that put the Demon Deacons up 8-0 after a 2-point conversion. He added a long 52-yard scoring pass to Micah Mays Jr. late in the opening quarter.

Purdie connected with Barnes for a 11-yard touchdown and Conner Calvert kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 25-0 at halftime.

Purdie hit Barnes again in the third quarter with a 55-yard TD pass.

The Beavers avoided the shutout with Cornell Hatcher Jr.'s 29-yard touchdown run early in the final period, but Demond Claiborne ran for a 66-yard TD for Wake Forest.

Beavers backup Gabarri Johnson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to David Wells Jr. for the final margin.

Jake Dickert is in his first season as coach of Wake Forest after leaving Washington State.

Up Next
The Demon Deacons have a bye next weekend before hosting SMU on October 25.

Oregon State hosts Lafayette on Saturday.