Football Beats Bucknell Saturday

Lewisburg, Pa. – The Merrimack College football team earned its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon at Bucknell University 31-14.   

The Essentials
Score: Bucknell 21, Merrimack 31
Records: Merrimack (1-2) | Bucknell (1-1)

How It Happened

• On the first offensive possession for the Warriors, Lliam Davis knocked down a 19-yard field goal to put Merrimack up three. The Bison responded with a touchdown on their first offensive series to take a four-point advantage. After a 57-yard pass a catch from Ayden Pereira to Donovan Wadley, Malakai Anthony run the ball in from two yards out to give the Warriors back the lead by three. Bucknell added a score with eight and a half minutes to play in the first half to take a four-point lead. With under two minutes to play in the first half, Jermaine Corbett rushed for a 25-yard touchdown, his second of the season. The Warriors found themselves up three heading into halftime.
• The second half started with a forced punt by the Merrimack defense. On the next Warrior offensive possession, Pereira found Brendon Wyatt for a 13-yard pass and catch that gave the Warriors a 10-point advantage. On the Bison next offensive possession Jay Thompson sacked the Bison quarterback, which forced a fumble. Nicholas Lenon then picked the ball up and took it to the end zone to put Merrimack up 31-14. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Grant Jackson had a one-handed interception to give the Warriors the ball back. The Bison would add a late touchdown with under a minute to play to go down by 10.

Notes & Numbers

• Corbett rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.
• Donte Williams led the team with nine tackles. He also had his first interception of the year.
• Pereira went 11-15 for 147 yards and a touchdown.
• Lenon finished the game with a career-high four sacks.
• Thompson also had two sacks on the night.
• Head coach Mike Gennetti earned his first victory as Merrimack head coach.

Up next
After being on the road for the first three weeks of the season, the Warriors finally come home to take on the University of Maine on Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Duane Stadium.