Links: Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Everything clicked Saturday afternoon at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium for the Merrimack College football team, as it soared past NEC rival, LIU, in a 43-5 victory.
The Warrior defense had answers all day for the Shark offense, as they were held to just 183 total yards on the day, including just 91 yards through the air.
Nick Martino was tough to slow down with three sacks and
Rodney Samson topped the team with seven tackles, including half a tackle for loss.
Offensively, it was quite the show through the air for
Westin Elliott and his offense. He completed 31-of-38 passes for 299 yards and scattered five touchdown passes.
Tyler Roberts had the top day receiving, as he brought in a single game career-high nine catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. In total, 10 different Warriors caught at least one pass.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 43, LIU 5
Records: Merrimack (4-3, 1-2 NEC) | LIU (0-5, 0-2 NEC)
How It Happened
- Merrimack could not have asked for a better start in the game's opening few minutes. On the first possession of the game, Nicholas Lenon beat the Sharks' left tackle around the edge and had a sack fumble that was quickly recovered by Martino to set up a red zone chance for the Warrior offense.
- On the ensuing possession, the Warriors were forced into a fourth and short situation, but Elliott went for it all and dropped a pass into the end zone for Pat Conroy for a 10-yard link up to take the early 7-0 lead.
- LIU took the ball into Merrimack territory later in the quarter, but the Warriors clamped down near midfield to force a punt.
- The visitors put together a stellar drive at the end of the opening quarter that bled into the second that included a key fourth down conversion from Darian Davis on the ground. Merrimack needed just three plays into the second quarter to stretch the lead, as Elliott found Jacari Carter inside the red zone, then Roberts inside the five before Carter reeled in a touchdown pass from in-tight with ease. The point after attempt was blocked and returned for a two-point conversion to make it a 13-2 score.
- Another drive into Merrimack territory was stopped dead thanks in large part to Lenon, who had another sack on third down before LIU failed a long fourth down conversion attempt to turn it over on downs five minutes into the second quarter.
- A chance for Merrimack to add to the 11-point lead stalled with under five minutes to play before the half when Elliott was sacked at midfield on third down.
- Merrimack's defense gave the offense one last chance to add points on the board before the break after it forced the Sharks to go three-and-out with three minutes to play. An unsportsmanlike penalty and a quick strike over the middle to Carter immediately put Merrimack past midfield. Then, with less than a minute to play, Elliott heaved up a ball to the far side on third-and-six that was caught by Jamari Venter in front of a pair of defenders for a highlight reel touchdown. Johnny Rosario slid to catch a pass in the end zone on the two-point conversion to give Merrimack a 19-point lead.
- LIU charged down the field in the closing minute to tack on a field goal to bring it to 21-5 at the half.
- Merrimack nearly extended the lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, but a red zone interception stopped the momentum.
- A poor punt from deep in LIU's own end gave the Warriors great field position and they struck quickly. Elliott and company needed just four plays to travel 33 yards, capped by a touchdown catch from Roberts from 14 yards out.
- The visitors started to pour it on from there. Roberts hauled in his touchdown pass in as many drives not long after.
- E'Lijah Gray continued the rout when he scampered in from five yards away for his first collegiate score in the dying minutes.
Individual Highlights
- Lenon ended the day with 1.5 tackles for a loss to go along with his sack.
- Carter had eight catches for 48 yards.
- Matt Sokol had a trio of touchbacks and averaged 57.1 yards per kickoff.
- Venter led the way running the ball with 50 yards on 15 attempts.
- Darion McKenzie led the Merrimack secondary with two pass breakups.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack outgained LIU by a sizable 405-183 margin.
- The Warriors had 24 first downs compared to the Sharks' 11.
- Merrimack dominated the time of possession stat with 40:45 minutes with the ball.
- The Warriors converted on 10-of-16 third downs and 2-of-4 fourth downs.
Up next
The Warriors head into their bye week, then return to Duane Stadium Oct. 30 to host Central Connecticut State. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
