Links: Box Score
DOVER, Del. – An early deficit was quickly erased, as the Merrimack College football team scored 47 unanswered points to down Delaware State, 47-10, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
Westin Elliott had a nearly perfect afternoon through the air. His 91.3% completion percentage broke the Merrimack single-game school record for completion percentage. The graduate transfer completed 21 of 23 passes for 336 yards and had six touchdown passes, which tied for the second most in a single game in school history.
Pat Conroy had his collegiate best game when he caught five passes for 139 yards and added three scores, which also tied for the second most touchdown receptions in a single game in Merrimack history.
After Delaware State put 10 straight points on the board to start the game, the Warrior defense clamped down and did not allow any more scoring for the final 41:52 of the contest.
The win moves Merrimack to 3-1, which is its best four-game start since it became an FCS program in 2019 and the best opening four games in Warrior history since the 2011 campaign.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 47, Delaware State 10
Records: Merrimack (3-1, 0-0 NEC) | Delaware State (1-3, 0-0 MEAC)
How It Happened
- The Merrimack defense bent, but did not break on the Hornets' opening drive. Delaware State drove into the red zone, but a penalty and a big tackle for loss drove it back and the Warriors got a hand on a field goal attempt to stymie the drive.
- A high snap on the Warriors' punt attempt after the ensuing drive gave the hosts first and goal and they were able to convert for a field goal to snag a 3-0 lead late in the opening 15 minutes.
- Another stop gave the ball back to Delaware State and it went on a long, time consuming drive that ended in pay dirt to stretch the Hornet lead to 10-0, but momentum switched after that.
- The Merrimack offense started to click and then some. Elliott marched his troops downfield, which was capped by a tremendous grab in the endzone for LJ Robinson's first career score.
- A three-and-out thanks to a tremendous tackle from Nicholas Lenon on the following Hornet drive gave Merrimack the ball back quickly and it kept momentum rolling.
- Elliott commanded another air raid that had a big third down conversion to Hayden Fisher, followed by another link with the freshman in the end zone for his first career score.
- The visitors from North Andover had a chance to put more points on the board before the halftime break after another defensive stop, but settled for the four-point lead at the break.
- Merrimack received the second half kickoff and made quick work to cushion the lead. Elliott found some broken coverage downfield and hit Conroy, who made it into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown pass.
- Delaware State looked to quickly get back in the game after the Conroy score with a deep ball, but it did not go as planned. A long pass down the near side was undercut by Wes Matthews, who came up with his first career interception to get Merrimack the ball back near midfield.
- The Warrior offense moved downfield and converted on a well-placed over-the-shoulder pass to Conroy, who reeled in his second touchdown pass of the day.
- The script remained similar over the next few minutes. The Hornets were able to move the chains, but were forced to punt. Jacari Carter received it in Merrimack territory and was one tackler away from pay dirt, but still got the Warriors started at the DSU 30.
- Just a couple of plays were needed after that, as Elliott linked with Conroy on another over-the-shoulder fade to push the lead to 34-10 still early in the third.
- Merrimack got the ball back just a few minutes later, but this drive was more sustained. The Warriors took plenty of time off the clock and a key fourth down conversion to Carter at the DSU 10 kept the drive alive. Two plays after the Carter catch, Maurice Nelson caught a ball over the middle for his first collegiate score.
Individual Highlights
- Fisher turned in his best collegiate game to date with five catches and 68 yards to go along with his score.
- Past his first career touchdown, Robinson also had his first collegiate catch during the win.
- Jason Labbe II led the Merrimack defense with seven tackles, including half a tackle for loss.
- Deon Houston registered his first career sack.
- In his first appearance of the season, Brandon Roberts had five tackles.
Notes & Numbers
- Merrimack dominated through the air with 336 yards compared to the Hornets' 44.
- The Warriors outgained Delaware State by a 423-182 margin.
- Merrimack won the time of possession battle for the fourth straight time to start the season. This time the total was 30:13 to 29:47.
Up next
Merrimack returns to North Andover next Saturday for the 2021 Homecoming game and NEC conference opener against Duquesne. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 pm.
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