Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – A big second quarter from visiting Bryant was too much in the end Saturday afternoon for the Merrimack College football team at Duane Stadium, as the Bulldogs topped the Warriors by a 58-14 count on senior day.
Merrimack honored 15 players set to graduate from the program during a post game ceremony with family and friends in attendance that put a ceremonious cap on the 2021 campaign.
In the first half, Bryant took a 28-0 lead before
Westin Elliott ran in from two yards out to get the Warriors on the board. The Bulldogs took momentum back in the second half on the way to the win.
The Essentials
Score: Bryant 58,
Merrimack 14
Records: Merrimack (5-6, 2-5 NEC) | Bryant (7-4, 5-2 NEC)
How It Happened
- Merrimack knocked on the door with an excellent opening drive to start the game, but it got halted at the 26 on a turnover on downs.
- The Warriors were unable to get much traction offensively on the next couple drives and Bryant capitalized to seize a 28-0 lead.
- After Elliott and the Warrior offense charged 70 yards downfield in just 2:28, he ran it in himself on a designed QB draw from two yards away for his first rushing score of the year.
- Bryant added a quick score before the halftime gun, then converted on two more drives in the third quarter to take a 49-7 lead into the fourth.
- While the Warriors threatened multiple times in the second half, they were able to breakthrough in the closing minutes for another score. On a well-orchestrated nine-play, 83-yard drive, Tyvon Edmonds Jr. made a quick cut to the inside from a few yards away to hit pay dirt.
- Merrimack had one final chance to tack on more points in the closing minutes on a 14-play drive, but it ended just 11 yards shy of the end zone when the clock hit zero.
Individual Highlights
- Jacari Carter had eight catches on the day for 71 yards to finish just four receptions shy of tying Cooper Kupp's record for most receptions by a freshman in FCS history. Carter closes the book on his incredible campaign with 89 catches for 713 yards and eight touchdowns.
- Tyler Roberts led the Merrimack receiving core with eight catches and 82 yards.
- Josh Addo and Rodney Samson tied for the team-high in tackles with seven apiece.
- Tyler Leavy got into the backfield for a sack.
- Donte Williams had a strong day in the secondary with two pass breakups and four tackles.
- In the rushing game, E'lijah Gray led the way with 22 yards on seven carries.
- Elliott's final stat line included 266 yards on 27-for-47 passing.
- Jason Labbe II, Nicholas Lenon and Jordan Riggs also registered tackles for a loss.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack converted 5-of-13 opportunities on third down.
- The Warriors finished the day with 308 total yards on offense on 65 plays.
Up next
Saturday closed the 2021 season for the Warriors.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
