Merrimack Hosts Husson Saturday at 1 p.m.; Live Stats Available

By Steve Palladino
Lawrence Eagle Tribune

Game Notes vs. Husson (Saturday, 1 p.m.) / Live Stats / Northeast-10 Preview of Merrimack

NORTH ANDOVER - Don't be surprised if you see Andrew Jackson, Merrimack College's All-Northeast-10 defensive back and return specialist, grinding out some yards on the offensive side of the ball this year.

He has done it before and he is willing to return to his roots as a two-way player, in an effort to shore up an inexperienced backfield.

"It wouldn't surprise me," said coach John Perry of the possibility of Jackson playing both ways.

"I will do whatever the coaches ask me to do," said Jackson, who was named a first-team pre-season Division 2 All-American kick returner by Consensus Draft Services.

Jackson is not on the offensive depth chart, but he is anxious for the opportunity.

"When it comes down to it, I feel I can do a lot with the ball and the coaches know my ability when I get into the open field," said the 5-11, 190-pound graduate of New Britain (Conn.) High, who carried the ball 24 times for 103 yards in his first two games as a freshman before losing the rest of the season to injury.

Jackson and the Warriors will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-6 season that was a crash down to earth following its co-Northeast-10 championship and NCAA appearance in 2006.

Merrimack opens on Saturday at home with a 1 p.m. non-leaguer against Division 3 Husson College of Bangor, Maine.

Jackson, a tri-captain, and his teammates will be playing for a new coach as Perry takes over from Jim Murphy, who resigned following last season.

"Andrew was a good captain last year and he has a good pulse of the guys on this team," said Perry. "He has been with these guys through the playoff situations and a down year. We have relied on him for a lot."

Jackson and seven returning defensive starters will be looking to improve upon last season's 28.0 points-per-game surrender, which was second to last in the conference.

"Last year was pretty difficult for us," said Jackson. "Coming off a winning season, we were expecting to be very good but we lost some pretty close games early."