Kennesaw, Ga. — The Merrimack College football team battled hard on Saturday evening at Fifth Third Stadium at Walens Family Field but came up short against Kennesaw State University, falling 27–13. Despite a late fourth-quarter push, the Warriors were unable to overcome KSU's strong third quarter.
The Basics
Score: Kennesaw State 27,
Merrimack 13
Records: Kennesaw State (1-2),
Merrimack (1-2)
How It Happened
Both defenses controlled the first quarter, forcing punts on each of the first five drives. Merrimack's defense stood tall early, halting the Owls on a 4th-and-1 at the Warriors' 44-yard line late in the first period. Kennesaw State finally broke through midway through the second quarter. The Owls put together a grinding 13-play, 85-yard drive that chewed up nearly four minutes of clock, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Dexter Williams II. Britton Williams added the extra point for a 7–0 lead, which held until halftime.
The game shifted in the third quarter. The Owls opened the half with a 9-play, 72-yard march, ending in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Amari Odom to Gabriel Benyard. After forcing a Merrimack punt, the Owls struck again quickly as Odom capped a short drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, extending the margin to 21–0. Merrimack looked to answer but stalled near midfield, and the Owls capitalized again, converting a 38-yard Britton Williams field goal in the closing minute of the third quarter to build a 24–0 advantage. The Warriors found life in the fourth quarter.
Ayden Pereira engineered a 10-play, 75-yard drive, using both his arm and legs before plunging into the end zone on a 1-yard keeper to cut the deficit to 24–7. Momentum carried over to the defense, as
RJ Chapman jumped a route and returned an interception 85 yards to the house, trimming the score to 24–13 with just under nine minutes remaining. Merrimack's defense forced another punt to give the Warriors a chance, but the Owls' secondary held strong, forcing back-to-back incompletions to stall the drive. With less than two minutes to play, Kennesaw State sealed the game with a 44-yard field goal by Britton Williams, pushing the lead to 27–13 and ending Merrimack's rally hopes.
Notable Performers
Ayden Pereira: 11-for-22, 148 yards passing · 59 rushing yards · 1 rushing TD
Jalen McDonald: 5 receptions, 116 yards (23.2 avg)
RJ Chapman: 85-yard interception return touchdown
Up Next
Merrimack returns home on Saturday to host Central Connecticut State University. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in North Andover.
–-
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
