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Highlights
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – A quick start for visiting Central Connecticut proved to be the difference Saturday afternoon at a rainy Duane Stadium, as the Merrimack College football team fell by a 49-21 final to the Blue Devils.
A pair of first quarter scores created a cushion for the visitors, then a 30-yard fumble recovery just a few moments after another Central Connecticut score started to spell the end. Merrimack found life late in the second quarter and into the third with a pair of touchdown strikes, but it could not complete the comeback.
Westin Elliott had success in the air with 257 yards through the difficult elements and
Rodney Samson had an exceptional day on the defensive side of the ball with 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
The Essentials
Score: Central Connecticut 49,
Merrimack 21
Records: Merrimack (4-4, 1-3 NEC) | Central Connecticut (2-6, 2-2 NEC)
How It Happened
- A poor snap on a punt after Merrimack's first drive gave Central Connecticut a short field and it capitalized on a three-play drive to grab an early 7-0 lead.
- After the Warriors were slowed on their following drive, the Blue Devils had a lengthy drive of their own to pad their lead to 14 late in the quarter.
- The Warriors started to build momentum late in the first quarter with a drive into Blue Devil territory, but a fumble stopped the momentum.
- Central Connecticut capitalized and scored after the turnover, then had a scoop-and-score on Merrimack's first play after it got the ball back.
- Darion McKenzie looked to turn the tides with a 27-yard kick return, but another turnover gave Central Connecticut good field position again and it cashed in for a 35-0 lead.
- The visitors added another score to make it 42-0 late in the second quarter, but then the Warrior offense started to click. McKenzie teed up Merrimack with excellent field position on a 67-yard kick return, then Elliott linked with Tyler Roberts straight down the middle from 28 yards out three plays later to get Merrimack on the board.
- After a missed field goal attempt, the teams headed to the locker rooms with a 42-7 score.
- The Blue Devils returned the second half kickoff, but the Merrimack defense quickly stepped up. Samson got into the backfield on the fourth play of the quarter for a sack fumble that was picked up by Josh Addo, then returned 22 yards to the CCSU 13.
- Just a couple plays later, Elliott dotted one to Jacari Carter from three yards out to bring the margin down to 28.
- A long drive answered the Carter strike to all but put the game out of reach late in the third quarter.
- Merrimack mustered one final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter punctuated by Roberts' second score of the day on a 42-yard score after he fought through a myriad tacklers to reach pay dirt.
Individual Highlights
- Roberts led the receiving core with 116 yards on seven catches. It marked the biggest day of his career yards wise.
- McKenzie had a solid day defensively as well with four solo tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
- Cole Peterson didn't let the wet conditions affect him, as he punted for an average of 42 yards per kick with a long of 49.
- Carter also had a punt return for 27 yards.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack out gained the Blue Devils through the air, 257-133.
- Central Connecticut ended up with a 365-219 edge in total offense.
Up next
Merrimack heads to Staten Island, N.Y. Nov. 6 to battle Wagner. Kickoff is set for 12:00 pm.
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