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Curran Interview
WORCESTER, Mass. – Something felt different Saturday afternoon at Fitton Field.
Fresh off a win over FBS opponent, UConn, Holy Cross was overwhelming favorites against third-year FCS school, Merrimack College, but that turned out to be irrelevant. The Warriors put together a complete 60-minute effort and claimed the program's first ever win against a ranked FCS team and the most historic victory in program history with a 35-21 decision.
After the Crusaders took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Warriors completely took over to the tune of 28 unanswered points, which turned out to be enough as the Merrimack defense stood tall and solidified the win.
In just his second collegiate game,
Victor Dawson ran straight at the Holy Cross defense all afternoon. He tore up the Crusaders to the tune of 111 yards on 19 carries and scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter that all but put the nail in the coffin.
Jacari Carter came up clutch as well for the Warriors with nine catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. It was the first 100-yard game of his young career.
Defensively,
Anthony Witherstone had possibly the play of the season. He reached out and made a nearly impossible one-handed snare, then ran it back to the house from 30 yards out to give Merrimack its first lead of the day early in the second quarter.
Rodney Samson could not be contained, as he had a team-high seven tackles, including two for a loss and one sack.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 35, #24 Holy Cross 21
Records: Merrimack (2-0, 0-0 NEC) | Holy Cross (1-1, 0-0 Patriot)
How It Happened
- The sides traded punts in the early going, then Holy Cross pushed through on its second possession of the game just 7:15 in on a nine-yard touchdown pass.
- Merrimack started to turn the tides and prove it belonged with the Crusaders not long after. The Warrior defense stood up and stopped the Holy Cross offense late in the quarter and that turned the momentum for good.
- Westin Elliott and the ground attack drove Merrimack down the field late in the first quarter, then the graduate student quarterback linked with Johnny Rosario on a 22-yard bomb over the top to tie the game at seven.
- Holy Cross looked to snag the lead back on the following possession, but Witherstone made his circus catch of an interception just two plays into the ensuing drive to give the Warriors a lead they would never relinquish.
- Merrimack's defense made two more stops in the second quarter and put the Warrior offense into the two-minute drill with 2:04 to go and 83 yards to gain. Elliott drove his troops to the Holy Cross 43-yard line, then were forced to punt. On a rarely seen occurrence, Merrimack's punt was blocked, but the ricochet hit a Crusader player past the line of scrimmage and was recovered by the Warriors. The visitors made no mistake after that and drove another 37 yards before Carter's snare from six yards out made it a two-score game.
- The halftime break did not change much, as Merrimack received the ball to start the second half and flew down the field for 65 yards on nine plays capped by a rugged nine-yard touchdown run from Matt Brehon.
- Holy Cross would eventually make it a two-score game once again midway through the quarter, but Merrimack had the answer.
- After the Warriors received the ensuing kickoff, it became the Brehon and Dawson show. Merrimack did not throw the ball once on the following drive and ran the duo for 12 plays and 89 yards that was finished off by three straight Dawson carries that ended with pay dirt. When the dust had settled in the end zone, the underdog visitors from North Andover had taken up 7:11 worth of clock on the drive and all but knocked out the home side.
- The Crusaders had one final gasp for hope with 2:31 to play when they connected for a 28-yard score, but it was too little, too late.
Individual Highlights
- Elliott ended his day 24-for-35 passing and had a pair of touchdowns. He was also sacked just once.
- Dawson and Brehon did yeoman's work on the day and combined for 33 carries for 165 yards.
- Tyler Roberts had a single game career-high 55 receiving yards, including an amazing catch through traffic in the third quarter that kept an eventual scoring drive alive.
- Kenneth Cooper and Josh Addo both ended with five tackles.
- Caleb Holden registered a pass break-up.
- Cole Peterson had a pair of punts finish inside the 20-yard line and had a long of 48 yards.
Notes & Numbers
- The Warriors outgained the two-time reigning Patriot League champions, 459-355.
- Merrimack dominated third down. It went 12-for-18 on its own opportunities, while the Crusaders converted on just one of their seven chances.
- Merrimack nearly doubled up Holy Cross in time of possession.
- The Warriors were able to run 81 plays on offense, compared to the Crusaders' 49.
Up next
Merrimack hits the road to Orono, Maine next Saturday to battle the Black Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 pm at Alfond Stadium.
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