SMITHFIELD, RI - Seven turnovers doomed the Merrimack football team as Division I Bryant handed the Warriors their first loss 20-7 Saturday afternoon in front of 5530 fans at Bulldog Stadium.
Down 20-0 in the fourth quarter, J.D. Wild (Martha's Vineyard, MA) forced his first of two fumbles off a Jerrell Smith carry, which was recovered by Jordan Rankine (Fitchburg, MA). On the ensuing play, backup quarterback Mike Sarnese (West Hartford, CT) connected with Chris Laham (Westwood, MA) in the end zone from 31 yards out to get Merrimack on the board.
On Bryant's next drive, Wild forced a fumble off a Lindsey Gamble carry and Anthony Taylor (Queens, NY) returned it all the way to Bryant's 11 yard line. But Sarnese was picked off in the end zone by Andre Whyte, ending Merrimack's hopes of a comeback.
Merrimack's defense was excellent all day, limiting Bryant to just four scores (two touchdowns) in seven red zone opportunities while forcing four turnovers. Preseason All-American Andrew Jackson (New Britain, CT) had two interceptions and nine tackles, while Shane Brown (Wakefield, MA) tallied 13 tackles. Rankine (12 tackles) and Mike O'Brien (Marlborough, MA) (11 tackles) also were in double figures.
Merrimack's downfall was on offense, as Kurt Leone (Marshfield, MA) and Sarnese were a combined 16-for-50 for 227 yards and five interceptions. Against a Bryant defense that has forced 14 turnovers in its last two games, the running game managed just 51 yards on 21 attempts.
Bryant's running game, led by 130 yards from Smith, rushed for 192 total yards in the game and two scores. Quarterback Jay Graber was 14-for-22 for 117 yards.
With today's touchdown, Laham is one receiving score shy of tying the all-time school record of 23 touchdown receptions.
The Warriors (1-1) will open conference play on Friday against Assumption College at Warrior Field at 7 pm.