Links: Box Score
LORETTO, Pa. – A third quarter strike from
Westin Elliott to
Anthony Norcia put the Merrimack College football team in range, but it was unable to get any closer in a 22-6 setback to Saint Francis Saturday afternoon at DeGol Field.
The Red Flash took a 19-0 lead at the halftime break on the strength of four field goals, then the Warriors' offense clicked in the second half. Elliott's touchdown heave to Norcia was from 34 yards out and it sparked the visitors to 211 yards total in the second half.
On the other side of the ball, the Merrimack defense stiffened up in the closing half hour. It held the Red Flash to just 61 yards to give the offense a chance to tie the game.
The Essentials
Score: Saint Francis 22,
Merrimack 6
Records: Merrimack (5-5, 2-4 NEC) | Saint Francis (5-5, 4-2 NEC)
How It Happened
- Saint Francis got off to a hot start with a touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage from 60 yards out, which turned out to be the only touchdown on the day for the hosts.
- The Warrior defense made big plays throughout the duration of the first quarter and tightened up in the red zone twice to force a pair of field goals to make it a 13-0 game after 15 minutes.
- Merrimack's tough red zone defense pressed on into the second quarter, as it held the Red Flash twice again into field goals to make it 19-0 at the break.
- As previously noted, the offense got going in the second half. The Warriors drove into Saint Francis territory a myriad times, but were held off until late in the third quarter.
- On a first down play at the Red Flash 34-yard-line, Elliott took a shotgun snap and dropped a gorgeous pass into the basket of Norcia inside the five, then the wide receiver tumbled his way in for the score.
- The Warrior defense forced a trio of Saint Francis punts after the touchdown to set Merrimack up with a chance to tie it up.
- A 31-yard catch and run for Darian Davis gave Merrimack a first down from the Saint Francis six with less than three minutes to play. The Warriors took shots at the end zone, but a Norcia catch was stopped at the two to force the turnover on downs, which ultimately decided the game.
Individual Highlights
Notes & Numbers
- Saint Francis out-gained the Warriors by a narrow 306-293 margin.
- Merrimack dominated third down, as it went 8-for-18 and held Saint Francis to just three conversions on 15 attempts.
- The Warriors out-possessed the hosts, 32:01 to 27:59.
Up next
Merrimack returns to Duane Stadium Nov. 20 to close out the regular season in North Andover against Bryant. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.
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