North Andover, Mass. – The Merrimack College football team remained undefeated in Northeast Conference play with a victory over Sacred Heart University on Saturday afternoon. Running back
Victor Dawson ran for 86 yards and one touchdown in the victory.
Gavin McCusker completed 10 of 16 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Shayne Butler had a pick six in the second half.
Rodney Samson and
Tommie McKoy III both finished the game with a team-high six tackles.
The Essentials
Score: Sacred Heart 25,
Merrimack 31
Records: Merrimack (6-2) | Sacred Heart (4-3)
How It Happened
- The game got off to a slow start after back-to-back punts. On their second possession of the afternoon, the Warriors marched down field using seven plays, capped off with a Dawson touchdown run, his 10th on the season. The first quarter ended with Merrimack up by one score. The Warriors started with the ball in the second quarter and went on another seven-play drive that was finished with a 20-yard pass and catch from McCusker to tight end Pat Conroy. The Pioneers added a field goal on their next offensive possession. On the last play of the first half Sacred Heart added another field goal to head into the locker room down by eight points.
- After deferring to the second half, the Pioneers started with the ball. On the third play of their drive, Butler picked off the Sacred Heart quarterback and took it to the house for his first pick six of the season. The Warriors found themselves up 21-6. The Pioneers bounced back quickly going on a three-play drive that ended in a 68-yard touchdown pass. Sacred Heart then scored again, going down by just one with eight minutes to go in the third quarter. The Pioneers blocked a Cole Peterson punt and earned a safety going up by one. After getting the ball back, Sacred Heart added a field goal, going up four. The Warriors responded by going on a methodical nine-play drive that ended in a McCusker keeper into the endzone. Merrimack went back up by three. With just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter Lliam Davis knocked down a 37-yard field goal to put Merrimack up six points. Solid defense the rest of the way for the Warriors earned them the win.
Notes & Numbers
- Donovan Wadley led the team in receptions with four and 44 yards.
- McCusker finished the game with a career-high 84 rushing yards.
- Jared Dunn blocked his first punt of the season.
Up next
The Warriors stay in the state of Massachusetts next Saturday when the squad heads to newly added NEC member Stonehill College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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