Sep 12, 2008

Football Takes on Division I Bryant Saturday Afternoon

MERRIMACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL

September 13, 2008

Watch Live / Live Stats / Complete Game Notes (.pdf)

Game 2 - Merrimack College Warriors (1-0) vs. Bryant University Bulldogs (1-1)
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Bulldog Stadium, 1 p.m.

UPDATE:
Merrimack takes on the 2007 Northeast-10 Champion Bryant University. Bryant, who is beginning its four-year transition to full Division I status in the Northeast Conference, is now competing at the Division I level in the Football Championship Sub-division (formerly Division I-AA).

SERIES:
The Warriors are 6-3 lifetime against Bryant. Bryant has won the last two meetings. Merrimack's last win was a 41-40 OT victory on September 10, 2005 in North Andover.

LEONE DEBUTS IN STYLE
Making his first collegiate start, sophomore quarterback Kurt Leone debuted in style, as he was 25 for 34 with 362 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Husson. For his efforts, Leone was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Week. Running the no-huddle offense, Leone threw for 334 yards in the first half. Leone's 362 passing yards rank fourth all-time in Merrimack history for yards in a game. Leone replaced Colin Temple, who was the first quarterback in school history to appear in every game in each of his four seasons.

LAHAM PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Senior captain Chris Laham, who was a two-time NE-10 Player of the Week in 2007 and a first-team all-conference selection, excelled in week 1, catching 11 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. The wide receiver needs two more receiving touchdowns to tie the school record for career receptions. Laham caught 33 balls in 2007, scoring 13 times. More record information is available on page 2.

MORE RECEIVERS
While Laham was Leone's favorite target, the sophomore also found six other receivers, including Jawara Loftis, who caught five balls for 85 yards, including a 24 yard TD pass. Jeremiah Watts had four catches for 61 yards and a 25 yard TD catch.

STRONG RUNNING GAME
While the passing game got most of the credit, the rushing game also excelled against Husson. Merrimack rushed for 193 yards as a team, including 99 from Richard Johnson, who rushed 79 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Freshman Anthony Smalls debuted in the second half and racked up 78 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE
Merrimack sacked Husson quarterback James McCandless six times, led by three from freshman linebacker Tony Johnson. Johnson, who was named the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week, was one short of the school record of four in a game set by Matt Mikaitis in 2003. Merrimack limited the Eagles to just 50 total yards in the first half and 174 in the game.

PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Defensive back/kick returner Andrew Jackson was named to the Consensus Draft Services Preseason Division II All-American first team as a kick returner. Jackson was a Northeast-10 Conference first team selection, an All-Region second team honoree, a New England Football Writers selection, and an ECAC all-star in 2007. Jackson is one of only five Northeast-10 Conference players to be named to the CDS squads and is the lone first team selection. Southern Connecticut State had three players named to the team, led by second team selection Jermon Freeman, while Assumption's Dustin Zitzmann was an honorable mention. In the season-opener, Jackson returned a kick 81 yards for the touchdown.

NEW FACES
This is the first season for head coach John Perry. Hired in late December, Perry has recruited 36 newcomers, 34 of which are freshmen, to join a Warrior team just two years removed from a co-conference championship and the first playoff victory in school history in the NCAA Tournament.

RECORDS WATCH
Laham needs two more receiving touchdowns to tie Elfren Quiles for the school record of 23 career TDs. Laham, who currently has 21 TDs by way of the reception, posted 13 in 2007, one short of Quiles' record for a single-season. Right behind Laham is Chris McNeill who has 16 career TD catches, seven behind Quiles. Laham also needs 36 more points, which equals six touchdowns, to tie Calvin Bryant's record of 168 career points. He needs five touchdowns to tie for the most total scores in school history.

TRI-CAPTAINS
Seniors J.D. Wild, Jackson and Laham will serve as the captains for the 2008 season. Jackson was also a captain last season as a junior.

VETERANS ON D:
Eight starters from last season's defense, as well as other key reserves, return to headline this year's defense. Merrimack teams have historically been offensively based, but this year's squad will have to limit the opponent's offense to be successful. Besides Jackson, last year's secondary of Mike O'Brien, Sam Blevines, Jordan Rankine and Anthony Taylor all return. Wild headlines the linebacker core, but Shane O'Connor, Rhandy Audate and Shane Brown join him. Up front, seniors Joe Jolicoeur, Daniel Sherr and Chuck Manthei lead the way and are joined by Wilson Perjuste and Bernard Cooper.

THE DEPARTED:
Joining Temple on the 2007 graduate list are last season's starting WR D.J. Dolan, TE Ryan Salter, C Brian Frazier, LG Chris Troisi, DT Chris Cotter, DE Jon Herook, and S Randy Hurley. Last year's starting RB Mike Young is no longer attending Merrimack.

ABOUT BRYANT:
Although the Bulldogs return six starters on offense and five on defense from last year's squad that went 8-3, Bryant has some big holes to fill after losing several standout seniors to graduation. Included among them is quarterback Charlie Granatell, who started every game since his 2004 freshman year and rewrote every passing record. Another challenge will be filling the shoes of Sean Bergin, who was Granatell's main go-to receiver in '07. Bergin set a school record in 2007 for the most receptions in a season with 46. Bryant's defense lost two key defensive linemen to graduation, but their linebackers are all back along with two starters in the secondary, Bryce Martins and Michael Morgan.

LAST MEETING:
Bryant defeated Merrimack 37-34 on September 14, 2007 in overtime at Warrior Field. That game set the tone for the remainder of the season as Merrimack, who dropped to 0-2 with that loss, went 1-4 to start the season and could never recover. Bryant, meanwhile, would win the NE-10 Championship. Former Merrimack running back Mike Young raced for 255 yards in the loss, tying a school record.

COMING UP:
Merrimack will open conference play against Assumption College next Friday night at Warrior Field at 7 p.m. The Warriors downed the Greyhounds 33-20 last season. This will be the first of two meetings between the teams, with the latter being a non-conference game.

WARRIORS ON THE AIR:
The Merrimack Athletics Department has teamed up with B2 Networks to deliver live broadband broadcasts. Warrior games that will be streamed online include all home football, basketball and hockey broadcasts beginning September 19th against Assumption College. Games can be purchased on a season or single game basis.

WEEK 1 RECAP - MERRIMACK 42, HUSSON 7
Making his first career start, Kurt Leone threw for 334 yards in the first half as Merrimack routed Husson College 42-7 Saturday afternoon at a humid Warrior Field. The win is head coach John Perry's first as Merrimack's head coach. Using a no-huddle attack, Leone connected with six different receivers in the first half, including four for passing touchdowns, two of them to Chris Laham. The Warriors took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field as Leone connected with Jawara Loftis on a 24-yard pass to cap off an eight play, 63-yard drive. Moments later, Leone found Jeremiah Watts in the end zone from 25 yards out, and it was quickly 14-0 Merrimack just 5:54 into the first quarter. Leone then found Laham for two scores, one for 22 yards and the other for 29 yards, before Richard Johnson raced 79 yards down the right sideline to give the Warriors a 35-0 lead heading into halftime. After Justin Lindle got Husson on the board with a one-yard rush, preseason All-American Andrew Jackson answered right back returning the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for the touchdown. Laham finished with 153 yards receiving on 11 catches. He tied Elfren Quiles on the Merrimack all-time scoring list with 23 career touchdowns. Johnson rushed for 99 yards on 11 carries, while freshman Anthony Smalls debuted with 78 rushing yards. Loftis finished with five catches for 85 yards.


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Bryant, who is beginning its four-year transition to full Division I status in the Northeast Conference, is now competing at the Division I level in the Football Championship Sub-division (formerly Division I-AA). SERIES: The Warriors are 6-3 lifetime against Bryant. Bryant has won the last two meetings. Merrimack's last win was a 41-40 OT victory on September 10, 2005 in North Andover. LEONE DEBUTS IN STYLE Making his first collegiate start, sophomore quarterback Kurt Leone debuted in style, as he was 25 for 34 with 362 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Husson. For his efforts, Leone was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Week. Running the no-huddle offense, Leone threw for 334 yards in the first half. Leone's 362 passing yards rank fourth all-time in Merrimack history for yards in a game. Leone replaced Colin Temple, who was the first quarterback in school history to appear in every game in each of his four seasons. LAHAM PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF Senior captain Chris Laham, who was a two-time NE-10 Player of the Week in 2007 and a first-team all-conference selection, excelled in week 1, catching 11 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. The wide receiver needs two more receiving touchdowns to tie the school record for career receptions. Laham caught 33 balls in 2007, scoring 13 times. More record information is available on page 2. MORE RECEIVERS While Laham was Leone's favorite target, the sophomore also found six other receivers, including Jawara Loftis, who caught five balls for 85 yards, including a 24 yard TD pass. Jeremiah Watts had four catches for 61 yards and a 25 yard TD catch. STRONG RUNNING GAME While the passing game got most of the credit, the rushing game also excelled against Husson. Merrimack rushed for 193 yards as a team, including 99 from Richard Johnson, who rushed 79 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Freshman Anthony Smalls debuted in the second half and racked up 78 yards on the ground on 12 carries. DEFENSE, DEFENSE Merrimack sacked Husson quarterback James McCandless six times, led by three from freshman linebacker Tony Johnson. Johnson, who was named the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week, was one short of the school record of four in a game set by Matt Mikaitis in 2003. Merrimack limited the Eagles to just 50 total yards in the first half and 174 in the game. PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN Defensive back/kick returner Andrew Jackson was named to the Consensus Draft Services Preseason Division II All-American first team as a kick returner. Jackson was a Northeast-10 Conference first team selection, an All-Region second team honoree, a New England Football Writers selection, and an ECAC all-star in 2007. Jackson is one of only five Northeast-10 Conference players to be named to the CDS squads and is the lone first team selection. Southern Connecticut State had three players named to the team, led by second team selection Jermon Freeman, while Assumption's Dustin Zitzmann was an honorable mention. In the season-opener, Jackson returned a kick 81 yards for the touchdown. NEW FACES This is the first season for head coach John Perry. Hired in late December, Perry has recruited 36 newcomers, 34 of which are freshmen, to join a Warrior team just two years removed from a co-conference championship and the first playoff victory in school history in the NCAA Tournament. RECORDS WATCH Laham needs two more receiving touchdowns to tie Elfren Quiles for the school record of 23 career TDs. Laham, who currently has 21 TDs by way of the reception, posted 13 in 2007, one short of Quiles' record for a single-season. Right behind Laham is Chris McNeill who has 16 career TD catches, seven behind Quiles. Laham also needs 36 more points, which equals six touchdowns, to tie Calvin Bryant's record of 168 career points. He needs five touchdowns to tie for the most total scores in school history. TRI-CAPTAINS Seniors J.D. Wild, Jackson and Laham will serve as the captains for the 2008 season. Jackson was also a captain last season as a junior. VETERANS ON D: Eight starters from last season's defense, as well as other key reserves, return to headline this year's defense. Merrimack teams have historically been offensively based, but this year's squad will have to limit the opponent's offense to be successful. Besides Jackson, last year's secondary of Mike O'Brien, Sam Blevines, Jordan Rankine and Anthony Taylor all return. Wild headlines the linebacker core, but Shane O'Connor, Rhandy Audate and Shane Brown join him. Up front, seniors Joe Jolicoeur, Daniel Sherr and Chuck Manthei lead the way and are joined by Wilson Perjuste and Bernard Cooper. THE DEPARTED: Joining Temple on the 2007 graduate list are last season's starting WR D.J. Dolan, TE Ryan Salter, C Brian Frazier, LG Chris Troisi, DT Chris Cotter, DE Jon Herook, and S Randy Hurley. Last year's starting RB Mike Young is no longer attending Merrimack. ABOUT BRYANT: Although the Bulldogs return six starters on offense and five on defense from last year's squad that went 8-3, Bryant has some big holes to fill after losing several standout seniors to graduation. Included among them is quarterback Charlie Granatell, who started every game since his 2004 freshman year and rewrote every passing record. Another challenge will be filling the shoes of Sean Bergin, who was Granatell's main go-to receiver in '07. Bergin set a school record in 2007 for the most receptions in a season with 46. Bryant's defense lost two key defensive linemen to graduation, but their linebackers are all back along with two starters in the secondary, Bryce Martins and Michael Morgan. LAST MEETING: Bryant defeated Merrimack 37-34 on September 14, 2007 in overtime at Warrior Field. That game set the tone for the remainder of the season as Merrimack, who dropped to 0-2 with that loss, went 1-4 to start the season and could never recover. Bryant, meanwhile, would win the NE-10 Championship. Former Merrimack running back Mike Young raced for 255 yards in the loss, tying a school record. COMING UP: Merrimack will open conference play against Assumption College next Friday night at Warrior Field at 7 p.m. The Warriors downed the Greyhounds 33-20 last season. This will be the first of two meetings between the teams, with the latter being a non-conference game. WARRIORS ON THE AIR: The Merrimack Athletics Department has teamed up with B2 Networks to deliver live broadband broadcasts. Warrior games that will be streamed online include all home football, basketball and hockey broadcasts beginning September 19th against Assumption College. Games can be purchased on a season or single game basis. WEEK 1 RECAP - MERRIMACK 42, HUSSON 7 Making his first career start, Kurt Leone threw for 334 yards in the first half as Merrimack routed Husson College 42-7 Saturday afternoon at a humid Warrior Field. The win is head coach John Perry's first as Merrimack's head coach. Using a no-huddle attack, Leone connected with six different receivers in the first half, including four for passing touchdowns, two of them to Chris Laham. The Warriors took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field as Leone connected with Jawara Loftis on a 24-yard pass to cap off an eight play, 63-yard drive. Moments later, Leone found Jeremiah Watts in the end zone from 25 yards out, and it was quickly 14-0 Merrimack just 5:54 into the first quarter. Leone then found Laham for two scores, one for 22 yards and the other for 29 yards, before Richard Johnson raced 79 yards down the right sideline to give the Warriors a 35-0 lead heading into halftime. After Justin Lindle got Husson on the board with a one-yard rush, preseason All-American Andrew Jackson answered right back returning the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for the touchdown. Laham finished with 153 yards receiving on 11 catches. He tied Elfren Quiles on the Merrimack all-time scoring list with 23 career touchdowns. Johnson rushed for 99 yards on 11 carries, while freshman Anthony Smalls debuted with 78 rushing yards. Loftis finished with five catches for 85 yards.