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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Following a stellar conclusion to the 2017 season and bolstered by the return of three all-conference selections and the most prolific recruiting class in program history, the Merrimack College football program opens the 2018 season on Saturday (Sept. 1) when it visits Bloomsburg University for a cross-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. from Redman Stadium.
Inside the Series
- Merrimack and Bloomsburg, a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), will be meeting for the first time on Saturday.
- Last year, Merrimack and Bloomsburg had one common opponent: Stonehill, which defeated both Merrimack and Bloomsburg in the regular season.
Last Looks at 2017
- Merrimack finished up the 2017 season 4-5 in the always ultra-competitive Northeast-10 Conference (4-6 overall) along with a near upset on the road against a Division I program in Bryant University that ultimately finished third in the Northeast Conference.
- Among the highlights last fall were an impressive win on the road (31-21) in Week 2 at AIC. The 2017 season also featured the unveiling of the College's new Merrimack Stadium, which Merrimack opened in style on Homecoming Weekend by defeating Pace 44-10 in front of a record breaking crowd of over 7,000 fans. That victory ushered in a historic new era for the program.
- Two weeks later, the Warriors marched right back into their new home venue with a convincing win at home on Senior Day against Saint Anselm by a dominating 41-3 score, finishing the year undefeated in the new stadium.
- Merrimack would save its best for last in Week 10 by going down to New Haven and stunning the perennial power in a come-from-behind, 31-21 victory for the program's second straight win on the blue turf of DellaCamera Stadium.
- Four Warriors earned all-conference accolades and three are back in the fold this year, headlined by returning senior defensive lineman Jesse Jones, a first team selection on defense. Rising sophomores Rodney Samson and Jake Ragusa earned all-rookie team honors, as well. Class of 2018 graduate Derrick Villard had one of the best single-season campaigns ever for a running back in school history, becoming the third player to finish with over 1,000 yards while also becoming the fourth Warrior to post 10-plus rushing touchdowns in a season.
'Mack Facts
- Merrimack finished last season as the NE10's third-best offense in terms of yards per game, averaging 413.4 per contest – nearly 100 more than they did in 2016.
- The Merrimack rushing defense reached elite levels last fall, yielding only 124.3 yards per game, the second-fewest in the conference and ahead of both Assumption and LIU Post.
- The Warriors also excelled at hassling the quarterback, totaling 25 sacks on the year – once again the second-best figure in the league.
- Overall, Merrimack ranked fourth in total yards allowed per game (348.9).
- Merrimack outgained its competition in six out of 10 games last year and surpassed 200 yards rushing on three occasions – including a 300-yard game on the ground.
Scouting Bloomsburg
- Bloomsburg closed out the 2017 season with a 7-4 record, marking its 19th consecutive winning season dating back to 1999, extending a PSAC-record streak of 19 straight seasons with at least six victories.
- The Huskies return seven of their nine All-Conference performers from last season, including redshirt senior defensive lineman Jake Klinger who earned First Team All-American honors from the Don Hansen Football Gazette. Klinger led the Huskies with career-highs in total tackles (69), tackles for a loss (22.0), and quarterback sacks (11.0).
- Joining Klinger as returning All-Conference honorees are redshirt senior offensive lineman Travis Krall who, like Klinger, earned a spot on the First Team. Returning Second Team All-PSAC East members include redshirt senior defensive lineman Chris Gary, redshirt senior cornerback Marquis Seamon, redshirt junior running back Alex Gooden, redshirt junior running back Qmac Quiteh and redshirt junior wide receiver Michael Allen (Oley, Pa./Fleetwood).
Inside the Matchup:
| Merrimack (4-6, 4-5 NE10) |
Category |
#RV Bloomsburg (7-4, 4-3 PSAC) |
| -- |
Last Time Out |
-- |
| 144.6 |
Rushing Offense |
170.1 |
| 268.3 |
Passing Offense |
172.5 |
| 412.9 |
Total Offense |
342.6 |
| 348.9 |
Opp. Total Offense |
347.9 |
| 7 |
Interceptions |
10 |
| 18/8 |
Fumbles/Lost |
23/7 |
| 30:47 |
Time of Possession |
32:39 |
| 40% |
3rd-Down Conversions |
42% |
| 36% |
Opp. 3rd-Down Conversions |
35% |
| 26/173 |
Sacks/Yards |
35/254 |
| 27-39 (69%) |
Red-Zone Scores |
39-39 (92%) |
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Up Next
Merrimack returns home to open its home schedule against one of the region's best teams in Assumption College next Saturday (Sept. 8) under the lights at Merrimack Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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