Football Routs Virginia Lynchburg, 45-14, in Merrimack's Inaugural Division I Football Game

Links: Box Score // Highlights // Marquis Spence Interview

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – In front of over 4,000 Merrimack College faithful – the second largest crowd in Duane Stadium history – the Merrimack College football program celebrated its inaugural Division I contest in style, taking down Virginia University of Lynchburg, 45-14, Saturday afternoon on campus.

Merrimack played in front of the largest non-Homecoming crowd in school history, celebrating the College's new Division I era. The Warrior fans filled in the stadium bleachers, while the student body including the majority of the Class of 2023 filled in the bleachers located behind the end zone in front of Ash and Deegan East residence halls to near capacity.

After both programs exchanged touchdowns, Merrimack's defense held the Dragons off the scoreboard for over a 30-minute span as Merrimack pitched a shutout in the second quarter and into the third. Merrimack's offense converted on three straight touchdown drives from the end of the first quarter into halftime, building a 31-7 advantage. Three different running backs scored touchdowns in the opening half, while the Warriors' defense recorded a pair of takeaways that led to scoring drives.

The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 45, VUL 14
Records: Merrimack (1-0) | VUL (1-1)
Location: Duane Stadium | North Andover, Mass.
Attendance: 4,047
Duration: 3:00

How It Happened

• Sophomore Cam Tillman started Merrimack's first scoring drive, intercepting a Virginia Lynchburg pass and returning it to the Dragons' 11-yard line. After a false start backed Merrimack up to the 16-yard line, redshirt sophomore Jamari Venter took two carries to cross the goal line and put the Warriors up, 7-0
• Merrimack scored one more touchdown in the first after a field goal made it a 10-7 game. The Warriors utilized an eight-play drive that ended with a three-yard rushing score for sophomore Matt Brehon. Merrimack took a 17-7 edge into the second quarter
• The Warriors' put together two impressive drives in the second quarter. The first began when junior Caleb Holden started things with an interception, getting Merrimack the ball back at its own nine-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Christian Carter proceeded to execute a 91-yard drive. Carter went 3-for-4 on the drive, connecting with sophomore wideout Johnny Rosario on a 23-yard touchdown pass that made it 24-7 Warriors
• The second took over six minutes off the clock and left just 26 seconds remaining until halftime. The Warriors converted on three third downs, and saw the drive extended on a pass-interference penalty. On first-and-goal from the two-yard line, sophomore Malachi McFadden punched the ball in to go ahead by 24 (31-7)
• The third quarter saw the Dragons score once, but the Warriors answered back to start the fourth quarter with Venter's second score of the game. Merrimack's final touchdown of the day was created by other turnover. In the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman Brett Raynor forced a fumble that was recovered by freshman Nicholas Lenon. Two plays later, Brehon took the ball 42 yards for a touchdown, making it a 45-14 game

Individual Highlights

• Carter enjoyed an efficient performance, completing 18-of-25 attempts for 163 yards and a touchdown. He added 58 yards on the ground, averaging 7.1 yards per carry
• Venter and Brehon recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns each. Both backs averaged over six yards-per-carry
• Redshirt-senior Marquis Spence led the receiving corps with seven catches and 60 yards on the day
• Four players tied for the team high with six tackles apiece; redshirt junior Jovan Grant and redshirt senior Enrique McFarlane tied with four solo tackles apiece
• Grant and Tillman posted an interception each. Merrimack's defense posted four sacks, resulting in a loss of 20 total yards

Notes & Numbers

• Merrimack's rushing attack was on display, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and totaling 267 yards on the ground
• The Warriors' defense forced four turnovers, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries
• Total Yards (Rushing-Passing-Total): VUL - 70-187—257 // MC - 256-163—419
• Takeaways (INT/FR): VUL - 1 // MC - 4
• Sacks: VUL - 1 // MC - 4
• Total 1^st Downs: VUL -14 // MC - 23
• 3^rd Down Conversions: VUL - 4-12 // MC - 5-12
• 4^th Down Conversions: VUL - 0-1 // MC - 1-2
• Time of Possession: VUL - 26:18 // MC - 33:42

Up Next
The Warriors make their ESPN3 debut next Saturday when Merrimack travels to Central Connecticut State to face its Northeast Conference (NEC). Kickoff in New Britain, Conn. is set for 6 p.m.