NEWARK, Delaware – The Merrimack College football team gave FBS-rooted Delaware an early scare, but ultimately the Blue Hens rode a strong second-half effort to a 42-7 verdict at Delaware Stadium on Thursday night.
The Warriors (0-2) held the Fighin' Blue Hens to just one score during the opening 25 minutes, and a blocked field goal by Merrimack defensive back Danny Simms kept it a two-score deficit in the final minutes of the first half. The Blue Hens then turned a late Merrimack turnover into a 21-0 halftime lead.
"We got a couple stops defensively and it was looking like – you look at the half and it could have been a 14-3 game. But would've, could've, should've, you know? We just didn't do enough," Merrimack head coach Mike Gennetti said after the game. "Pleased with the fight, pleased with the effort. I think that's there. The execution needs to improve for sure. I think if we have some of that it's going to help us out going forward."
Merrimack running back Galamama Mulbah scored a seven-yard touchdown to get the Warriors on the board in the third quarter. Mulbah averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the contest and added four kick returns for 84 yards.Â
On the defensive side, Jacob Wilson finished with a team-high 10 tackles. Merrimack defensive linemen Trent Taylor and Kendall Carter combined for a first-half sack while Dwayne Green Jr. and Micah Green each had a tackle for loss.
"We knew who Delaware was before we took the field. We know how good they are," Gennetti said. "We knew it was going to be a challenge and we just didn't do enough to really make it competitive at times. Early in the game we had opportunities to keep it closer, but it just didn't amount to enough. We just made too many mistakes."
The Warriors return to action next Saturday when they travel to Maine.
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