USAF Academy, Colo. – The Merrimack College football team dropped their season opener to the United Air Force Academy on Saturday afternoon in Colorado. The Warriors only let up 21 points in their second-ever matchup against a FBS opponent.
The Essentials
Score: Air Force 21,
Merrimack 6
Records: Merrimack (0-1) | Air Force (1-0, 0-0 MW)
How It Happened
- The Warriors started the game off with the ball after Air Force won the toss and deferred to the second half. Merrimack was forced to punt, but after a roughing the kicker penalty, they got the ball back. On the next play, Gavin McCusker rushed and then fumbled the ball. The Falcons would score on that possession to go up by seven. On the next offensive possession, Merrimack was once again forced to punt. The Warriors got a big stop on fourth down to take the back the football. Both teams would trade punts to round out the first quarter.
- Two plays into the second quarter the Falcons punted the ball away. The Warriors had a four-play drive that resulted in a punt in their first possession of the second quarter. Merrimack muffed a punt on the next Air Force possession to set the Falcons up with good field position. The Warrior defense stood up Air Force, including two tackles from Grant Jackson. The Falcons missed the field goal, to keep the deficit at seven. The Warriors got into field goal range, but missed the field goal with under a minute to play in the first half. Air Force scored before the end of the first half to go up two scores.
- Merrimack forced a three and out to start the second half. The Warriors went on an eight-play drive that resulted in another Cole Peterson punt. The Merrimack defense would get another stop on the next Falcons possession. The next Warrior possession was a nine-play drive that once again resulted in a kick from Peterson. The deficit remained at 14 heading into the fourth.
- Air Force added a touchdown with eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter to go up by three touchdowns. Ayden Pereira found Jalen McDonald for a 11-yard pass and catch on the last play of the game.
Notes & Numbers
- Jermaine Corbett rushed for a team-high 59 yards on eight attempts
- Kendal Sims led the team in tackles with seven.
- Jackson had one of two sacks.
Up next
The Warriors stay on the road next week when the squad heads to the University of Connecticut. Game time is set for noon.
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