Links: Box Score |
Highlights
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – A Merrimack College record 12,147 fans celebrated Homecoming Saturday afternoon at Duane Stadium, as the Warrior football team was topped by Duquesne, 37-14.
A bevy of pregame ceremonies including an impressive firework display welcomed Merrimack onto the field to take on the Dukes. The Warriors got the crowd on their feet with a touchdown strike from
Westin Elliott to
Jacari Carter just under nine minutes into the game, but the Dukes fought back to claim a halftime lead, then went on to win after they shutout the host in the second half.
Carter had another strong game with 11 receptions to lead all players and Elliott finished with 203 yards passing with a couple of scores.
The Essentials
Score: Duquesne 37,
Merrimack 14
Records: Merrimack (3-2, 0-1 NEC) | Duquesne (3-1, 1-0 NEC)
How It Happened
- After Merrimack's defense stopped Duquesne on its opening drive, the Warriors struck first. A 70-yard drive ended in the hands of Carter, who grabbed a 16-yard pass from Elliott after the redshirt freshman eluded coverage in the far side of the end zone.
- Duquesne got on the board itself with a 12 play, 59-yard drive at the tail end of the first quarter that ended with a short pass for the score just six seconds into the second quarter.
- An Elliott interception gave the Dukes great field position just a few plays later and they converted to take the 14-7 lead with over 13 minutes to play in the half.
- The visitors tacked onto their lead with a field goal with under five minutes to play, but Merrimack conducted a fantastic drive to draw back to three before the halftime break.
- Elliott brought the Warriors 75 yards in 3:46 and capped it with another touchdown pass to Carter, which also came from 16 yards out.
- The Dukes seized momentum in the closing half hour. They scored on their opening offensive drive and made a key defensive stop in the final three minutes of the third quarter when Merrimack drove to the Duke 13 yard-line before it turned it over on downs.
- A Duquesne touchdown pass with 5:06 to play in the fourth sealed the decision, as it escaped North Andover with the victory.
Individual Highlights
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack out gained the Dukes by a 271-266 margin.
- The Warriors won the time of possession stat for the fifth straight time to open the season at 30:19 to 29:41.
- Merrimack had 18 first downs compared to Duquesne's 17.
Up next
The Warriors trek to Fairfield, Conn. next Saturday for a matchup with reigning NEC champion, Sacred Heart. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm from Campus Field.
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