NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – The Merrimack College football team beat Central Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon to clinch its second straight appearance in the Northeast Conference Championship game. Quarterback Malakai Anthony had the best game of his Warrior career, going 11-15 for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony threw the ball four times to Donovan Wadley who had 113 yards and two touchdowns. Tyvon Edmonds Jr. ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. On the defensive side of the ball, Kenneth Cooper and DJ Frazier had six tackles each.

The Basics
Score: Central Connecticut 24, Merrimack 35
Records: Central Connecticut (3-7, 1-5 NEC), Merrimack 5-5, 4-2 NEC)

Rapid Recap

• The Blue Devils started the game off with a touchdown after a 12-play drive. Merrimack responded with a 12-play drive of their own which ended in a one-yard punch in from Edmonds Jr. The game remained tied at seven heading into the second quarter. After two punts by Central Connecticut and one by the Warriors, Merrimack got the ball back with a little over 12 minutes to go before halftime. Anthony drove his offense down the field and capped off the dive with a 12-yard pass and catch to Seth Sweitzer to give the Warriors a seven-point advantage. The Blue Devils would hit a field goal as time expired in the half to head into halftime down by four.
• Merrimack started with the ball in the second half. It only took the home team four plays to score after a 53-yard pass and catch from Anthony to Wadley, giving the Warriors a 21-10 advantage. Central Connecticut would score on its offensive possession to cut the lead to four. On their next offensive possession Anthony found Wadley once again, this time for 39-yards, putting the Warriors back up nine. The Blue Devils then matched the Merrimack with touchdown to bring the lead back down to four. The lead stayed at four heading into the final quarter. After back-to-back punts from both teams Central Connecticut muffed a punt setting the Warriors up in great field position. It only took two plays for Edmonds Jr. to find the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. Merrimack went back up by nine. On their final offensive possession of the game the Blue Devil quarterback was picked off by Tre Jordan III to seal the deal for the Warriors.

Notes and Figures

• Wes Matthews had the other interception for Merrimack in the victory.
• Tyler Leavy led the team in tackles for a loss with two for a total of 12 yards. He also forced a fumble.
• Anthony also ran for 37 yards, which is a career-high.

Up Next
The Warriors will take on Duquesne University on Saturday afternoon for the NEC Championship. Kickoff is set for noon.