What happened: Steele Pizzella completed 23 of 28 passes for 432 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of his first career start for Wake Forest against Merrimack. He started in place of Gio Lopez.

Why it matters: Lopez was held out as a precaution, and Pizzella's start came with the Demon Deacons 7-1 and ranked No. 16 in the first CFP rankings. The first-half output gives the staff a proven backup option if Lopez's availability is ever in question.

What to watch: Lopez is expected to return next week against SMU.