Football Falls to Saint Francis in NEC Championship Game

North Andover, Mass. – The Merrimack College football team fell to Saint Francis University on Saturday afternoon 52-23 in the Northeast Conference championship game. Gavin McCusker threw for two touchdowns, one to Pat Conroy and the other to Jacari Carter. Myles Taylor and Rodney Samson finished the game with seven tackles each to lead Merrimack.
 
The Essentials
Score: Saint Francis 52, Merrimack 23
Records: Merrimack (8-3) | Saint Francis (9-2)

How It Happened

• The Red Flash scored on their first drive of the afternoon to take an early seven-point lead. After forcing a Warrior punt, Saint Francis got the ball back and went on a 15-play touchdown drive to go up two scores. On the second play of the second quarter McCusker found Conroy streaking up the seam for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Back-to-back punts filled the middle of the second quarter. The Red Flash then scored to go up by two scores once again. After forcing another Merrimack punt, Saint Francis found the end zone again, going up 28-7 with just over five minutes left in the half. The Red Flash added 10 more points before the end of the half to head into the locker room up 31.
• The Warriors started with the ball in the second half after deferring on the coin flip. Saint Francis forced a punt. The Red Flash scored, making the score 45-7. The visiting team added another score before the start of the fourth quarter. Tyvon Edmonds Jr. found a hole and scored a touchdown up the middle. A safety gave Merrimack two more points. McCusker found Carter for a 10-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

 Notes & Numbers

• McCusker and Conroy now have connected on four touchdowns in the last two games.
• Merrimack had four tackles for a loss.
• Victor Dawson was the leading rusher with 64 yards.