Recap | Boxscore

Sep 27, 2008

Football Falls to Southern Connecticut 40-26

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Merrimack football team saw its two-game home winning streak snapped by Southern Connecticut State 40-26 Saturday afternoon at a rainy homecoming Saturday at Warrior Field.

Southern Connecticut built a 20-0 lead in the first 11:38, as John Wiechman picked up two one-yard touchdown runs for the 14-0 lead. After a Richard Johnson (Brockton, MA) fumble which was recovered by Jerome Pinckney, Chris Roberts found Chris Bergeski from 18-yards out giving the Owls the quick 20-0 lead after the extra-point failed.

After Merrimack’s next drive was stalled, the Warriors forced the Owls to punt for the first time and preseason All-American Andrew Jackson (New Britain, CT) went untouched, returning the punt 75-yards for Merrimack’s lone score of the first half. It was Jackson’s second punt return for a score this season.

Following a field goal from Chris Hazelton and another Johnson fumble, the Warriors went into the locker room at halftime trailing 23-7, as Southern Connecticut racked up 271 yards to just 105 for the Warriors.

Following a 58-yard kickoff return from Johnson to start the second half, Kurt Leone (Marshfield, MA) connected with Jawara Loftis (Dorchester, MA) for an 18-yard touchdown pass, cutting the score to 23-14. After Roberts found Bergeski again in the end zone, this time from 41-yards out, the Warriors responded once again, as Leone and Jeremiah Watts (Clovis, CA) hooked up for a one-yard TD score.

Trailing 33-20 in the fourth, Johnson rushed in the end zone from one-yard out, after Leone hit Chris McNeil (Wakefield, MA) for a 63-yard pass that got the offense down to the one. The Warriors had one last chance, trailing 33-26 at their own 25, but Leone fumbled on the first play of the drive, ending any possibility of a homecoming victory.

Merrimack’s defense had no answer for Wiechman who rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries. Roberts was 20-for-34 for 262 yards, while Bergeski pulled in seven catches for 125 yards and two scores.

Leone was 27-for-63 for 284 yards and was sacked four times. The Warriors gained just 56 net yards rushing. Watts continued his excellent season, catching 10 balls for 80 yards. Making his first appearance on offense this season, Jackson totaled five catches for 31 yards.

Merrimack (2-2, 1-1 NE-10) will visit Pace next Saturday for a matchup with the upstart Setters at 12 p.m.


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