Bloomsburg Tops Football in 2018 Season Opener

Links: Box Score

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Merrimack College football team went toe-to-toe with one of the top Division II teams in the country throughout Saturday's season opener and had early chances to pull ahead before ultimately falling by a 30-16 final against a Bloomsburg University squad that was receiving votes in this week's national rankings.

The Essentials
Score: Bloomsburg 30, Merrimack 16
Records: Merrimack (0-1, 0-0 NE10) | #RV Bloomsburg (1-0, 0-0 PSAC)
Location: Redman Stadium | Bloomsburg, Pa.
Attendance: 3684
Duration: 2:50

How It Happened

• After both sides settled for field goals in the opening frame, Bloomsburg pulled ahead on a short run from just outside the end zone early in the second quarter after getting the ball at the Merrimack 20-yard line following a fumble.
• The Warriors quickly answered on their next drive, starting at their 19 and going 66 yards over 13 plays before sophomore Corey Resendes punched in his second field goal of the afternoon from a career-high 32 yards to make it a three-point game (9-6) with just under nine minutes in the half.
• After the Huskies added another touchdown on their next possession and a Merrimack three-and-out, the hosts appeared to be in prime position to add another score, but the first interception of the season by sophomore Caleb Holden turned that threat aside and helped set up the first Merrimack touchdown of the year.
• With an offense comprised of true freshmen starters at a number of skill positions, first-year quarterback Christian Carter guided the Warriors down the field from their own 20, moving the chains with a 21-yard pass to classmate Johnny Rosario to move into Bloomsburg territory. Another rookie – Malachi McFadden – moved the chains on a 3^rd and short with a four-yard scamper, and then – with time ticking out on the half – it was Carter scrambling and finding senior Cody Demers between a few defenders in the right pocket of the end zone to make it a 16-13 affair entering the break.
• The Warriors were poised to take the momentum back after starting the second half with possession but instead went three and out. Bloomsburg would then need only three plays to find the end zone, benefiting from a penalty that moved the ball 15 yards before a 34-yard passing score gave the Huskies a 23-13 lead early in the third.
• Merrimack had another quick answer, driving 64 yards on its next possession and getting as close as the Bloomsburg 7 before settling for a field goal. Carter converted an 18-yard strike on 2^nd & 5 to Demers and dazzled with a 25-yard reception on 4^th & 11 to junior Marquis Spence to get inside the red zone and set up the score.
• The Warrior defense – and sophomore Jovan Grant – came through on the next drive, as Grant's first pick of the season turned away the Huskies on a deep ball attempt and set up the visitors to potentially tie the game.
• Both sides' defenses would take over through the remainder of the third, forcing punts on five straight possessions to send the game into the midpoint of the fourth quarter with the score still 23-16 in favor of the Huskies.
• Bloomsburg would get insurance after taking over at its own 37, converting on a 4^th & 5 just past midfield and then benefitting from another penalty that brought them into the red zone. There, they would find the end zone on a 3^rd & 1 from the two-yard line, and that last score would settle for the final margin.

Notes and Notables

• Carter showed a great deal of poise in his collegiate debut and plenty of flashes of potential; he finished 21-of-37 (56.8%) with 237 yards in the air and the one touchdown.
• Carter also wasn't afraid to run with the ball, sharing the team lead with 11 carries (32 yards); redshirt freshman Jamari Venter led the pack with 43 yards, while true freshman Matt Brehon contributed 37 on eight carries, averaging a team-high 4.6 yards per attempt.
• Demers tied his career-high with 11 receptions and had 110 yards total with the one touchdown to highlight a tremendous day, while Spence finished with 86 yards on four catches, averaging over 20 yards per grab.
• On defense, senior Jesse Jones paced the pack with 10 stops, while junior Robert Hulse had a team-high six solo stops. Grant and Holden had the pair of picks, while Jones and redshirt sophomore Michael Mercuri broke up one pass apiece while Grant was credited with a forced fumble, as well.

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.