Wake Forest set a school scoring record in a 77–0 victory over Merrimack in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Saturday, November 7, with backup quarterback Steele Pizzella leading a 49-point first half.
The Demon Deacons improved to 8–1 with their sixth consecutive victory. Merrimack, which competes in the Football Championship Subdivision, fell to 4–6.
Pizzella threw for 432 yards and three touchdowns in the opening half while filling in for injured starter Gio Lopez. He added 63 rushing yards, including a 13-yard touchdown, before the teams went to the locker rooms with Wake Forest ahead 49–0.
Wake Forest scored 11 touchdowns in all. The 77 points surpassed the program’s previous scoring record from a 70–58 victory over Army on October 23, 2021.
The Demon Deacons finished with 730 yards of total offense, including 546 through the air and 184 on the ground. Jack Foley led their receivers with 162 yards. Wake Forest scored another 14 points in each of the final two quarters.
Merrimack finished with 202 total yards, almost evenly divided between 102 rushing yards and 100 passing yards. The Warriors converted three of 19 third-down opportunities and one of three fourth-down attempts.
Wake Forest’s defense protected the shutout when Merrimack reached the nine-yard line in the third quarter but failed to score on four plays. The Demon Deacons also scored on a punt return and an interception return after halftime.
Wake Forest visits SMU next Saturday. Merrimack travels to Monmouth.
Sources: Wake Forest Athletics — Official final game center. Associated Press — November 7 final report.