Football Hosts New Haven for Homecoming Weekend

MERRIMACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Game #7 vs. New Haven, October, 17, 2009, 1 p.m.
Watch Live / Live Stats / Game Notes (.pdf)
WARRIORS HOST NEW HAVEN FOR HOMECOMING
WEEKEND
UPDATE
After dropping their first conference game of the season on
Saturday to Assumption, the Warriors look to bounce back against
New Haven on Homecoming Weekend.
SERIES
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams. New
Haven is in its first year of football as a member of the
Northeast-10 and its first since the school dropped its football
program in January 2004.
LATE COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AT ASSUMPTION
Trailing 30-7 early in the third quarter, Merrimack fought back
hard, only to suffer its first conference loss, 39-36 to Assumption
on October 10. Merrimack had 354 of its 454 total yards in the
second half.
LAST TO LOSE A CONFERENCE GAME
Starting 3-0 in conference play for the first time in school
history, the Warriors were the last team to stay perfect in NE-10
conference play. With four games remaining, the Warriors control
their own destiny as they look for their second-ever conference
title.
WATTS HAS A CAREER DAY
Senior Jeremiah Watts set career-highs against Assumption in
receptions (15) and receiving yards (215), while scoring two
touchdowns. His 15 receptions rank second in school history.
LAHAM NEEDS 61 YARDS FOR ANOTHER RECORD
Chris Laham needs 61 more receiving yards to set the school record
for career receiving yards with 2204 (Elfren Quiles, 2203).
OFFENSE RANKED FIFTH IN THE COUNTRY
Through the first six games, the Merrimack offense is averaging
480.2 yards per game, tops in the conference and fifth in the
country. They average 107 more yards per game than anyone else in
the conference (Bentley is second - 373.3/game). The Warriors
average 53.6 more yards rushing (237.5/game) than second-ranked
SCSU (183.9/game) and rank seventh in the nation.
SMALLS AMONG NATIONAL RUSHING LEADERS
Sophomore Anthony Smalls, who was named the Northeast-10 Player of
the Week on September 28, rushed for a career-high 219 yards in the
41-31 win over Saint Anselm. He now has 834 yards in six games,
tops in the conference. He averages 163.2 yards per game, fourth
nationally. Smalls, who is first in the league with 161.7
all-purpose yards per game, exceeded 100+ yards rushing in the
first five games of the season.
ROAD STREAK SNAPPED
The Warriors saw their five-game road winning streak dating back
to September 13, 2008 snapped in the loss to Assumption. Two of
Merrimack’s final four games are on the road.
LOISEAU NAMED NE-10 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE
WEEK
Sophomore linebacker Shawn Loiseau has totaled 72 tackles in six
games, averaging 12.0 per game, third in the Northeast-10, and tops
among all non-seniors. Loiseau posted a game-high 17 tackles
against Bentley, earning NE-10 weekly honors, and followed it up
with another 16 tackles and his first career interception at
Assumption.
LAHAM NETS TENTH TOUCHDOWN IN WIN OVER
BENTLEY
Chris Laham picked up his tenth touchdown of the season in the
14-12 win over Bentley, tied for tops in the conference. Laham, who
also leads the NE-10 and is fifth nationally with 108.8 receiving
yards per game, has 35 career TDs (33 receiving), tops in school
history. He has a chance to break the school record for touchdowns
in a season, which is 17 set by Calvin Bryant in 1999.
SUOZZO SOARS TO RUSHING, PASSING LEADERS
After tallying 438 total yards against Stonehill, sophomore James
Suozzo totaled 436 (359 passing, 77 rushing) against Assumption.
Suozzo is first in the Northeast-10 in total offense with 334.8
total yards per game and is third in the conference in rushing
offense with 94.3 yards per game, tops among quarterbacks. Suozzo
has rushed for nine touchdowns, tied for first in the conference,
while throwing for 14, 10 of them to Laham.
REGIONAL RANKINGS
Merrimack debuted tenth in the first edition of the regional
rankings on October 5. The top six teams in the Northeast region
will qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Merrimack last appeared in
the NCAA Tournament in the 2006 season.
OFFENSE EXPLODES IN 42-21 WIN OVER STONEHILL
In a 42-21 win over Stonehill, the offense totaled 630 offensive
yards, including 227 in the first quarter and 260 in the first 16
minutes. The 630 yards were just 17 yards shy of the school record,
set last season against Saint Anselm. Chris Laham caught nine
passes for 211 yards, finishing just 18 yards shy of the single
game school receiving record.
SUOZZO GETS THE GOLD HELMET, NE-10 HONORS
James Suozzo was named the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Gold
Helmet Award winner and the Northeast-10 Player of the Week for his
outstanding play in leading the Warriors to a 42-21 win over
Stonehill. Suozzo, who had 227 total yards in the first quarter,
passed for 324 yards and three scores and rushed for 114 yards and
two TDs. He is the first Merrimack player to earn a Gold Helmet
since Colin Temple in 2005.
LAHAM BREAKS TOUCHDOWN RECORD
Chris Laham set the all-time school record for career touchdowns
against Stonehill with his 29th career touchdown in the first
quarter, breaking Calvin Bryant’s (1997-99) old mark. Earlier
this season, Laham set the school mark for career TD receptions
with 26 against AIC. On his career, he has 33 receiving and two
special teams touchdowns.
SNAPPING THE ROAD STREAK
The victory against Stonehill marked the first time since 1999 (10
meetings) that the home team prevailed in the Merrimack-Stonehill
series.
T. JOHNSON GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD
After setting the school mark for sacks in a season as a freshman
with 11.5, Tony Johnson has 4.5 for the season, tied for third in
the NE-10. Johnson is third with 11.0 tackles for a loss.
DESJARDINS LEADS NE-10 IN FUMBLE RECOVERIES
Nick DesJardins recovered his fourth fumble of the season against
Bentley and ranks tops in the conference in fumbles recovered.
DesJardins, who recovered a fumble in the end zone against
Stonehill for his first career touchdown, has 3.5 sacks and and two
forced fumbles on the season.
DEFENSE BLANKS THE EAGLES; STOPS FALCONS
The Warriors defense forced three turnovers and limited Husson to
just 218 total yards in the 23-0 victory. It marked their first
shutout since October 27, 2007, when they blanked Pace 31-0.
Merrimack’s defense did not allow a touchdown against
Bentley.
OFFENSIVE LINE LEADS TOP-RANKED OFFENSE
The Merrimack offensive line, led by tackles Jacob Bradley and
David Bellmont, have allowed just seven sacks this season, fewest
in the conference. They have paved the way for Anthony
Smalls’ and James Suozzo’s offensive success, as the
Warriors are averaging 237.5 rushing yards and 480.2 total yards
per game, tops in the conference. Merrimack’s offensive line
allowed just 15 sacks last season, fewest in the NE-10.
FISCHER PICKS A PAIR
Sophomore Jason Fischer totaled two interceptions in the 23-0
victory over Husson, marking the first two picks of his career. He
also totaled four tackles and broke up a pass in the win.
SUCCESSFUL DEBUT AT DEFENSE FOR R. JOHNSON
After playing running back in his first three seasons at
Merrimack, Richard Johnson successfully made the switch to defense,
leading the Warriors with eight tackles in the season opener
against AIC. Johnson also returned a kick for 50 yards.
A HIGH-SCORING OPENER
The 92 combined points in the Merrimack-AIC game were the most
scored in a Northeast-10 game since Southern Connecticut and Bryant
combined for 112 points during the 2005 season. The 58 points
surrendered by the Warriors are the most in school history since
Southern Connecticut scored 62 in a 62-14 Warrior loss on September
23, 2005. The 38 points allowed by AIC were the most since they
gave up 48 at Kutztown in 2007.
ON PACE TO SET OFFENSIVE SCHOOL RECORDS
Merrimack, which has racked up 2881 total yards this season, is on
pace to set the school record for total yards in a season (4234,
2008). The Warriors have 1425 rushing yards in six games and have
the school mark of 2470, set in 1999, in their sights.
FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT
Numerous freshmen have seen playing time this season, having an
immediate impact, especially on defense and special teams. Michael
Wiggins has seven tackles, while Pat McGrath (5), Justin Marsan (4)
and Michael Jones (4) have also seen time. PJimon Hill and Michel
Wheeler have combined for 53 yards rushing backing up Smalls.
Cornerback Jesse Fowler got his first career interception at
Assumption.
WATTS, LAHAM SET SIGHTS ON THE RECORD BOOK
Chris Laham (115 receptions, 2143 yards) and Jeremiah Watts (103
receptions, 1317 yards) both have legitimate chances to set school
records for career receptions (134-Quiles) and career receiving
yards (2,203-Quiles).
SCORING STREAK: 91 GAMES AND COUNTING
Merrimack has scored in 91 consecutive games, which is the
20th-longest active streak in Division II football. Valdosta St.
holds the current record having scored in 220 straight games while
Bentley (112) and Southern Connecticut (104) are among the
top-20.
UPDATING THE RECORD BOOK - GAME EDITION
Against Saint Anselm, the Warriors tallied 364 yards rushing,
fourth all-time in school history for a single game.
UPDATING THE RECORD BOOK - SEASON EDITION
Perry’s 2008 offense set the school record with 4,234
offensive yards and tied the school mark with 215 first downs. They
tallied 289 points and 2,815 passing yards, both second in school
history.
CAPTAINS
The Warriors will have four captains for 2009, led by Chris Laham.
Laham, who got a medical redshirt and a 5th year of eligibility,
enters his second straight season as captain. Joining him as
captains are Jeremiah Watts, Bernard Cooper, and Shane Brown.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Jeremiah Watts and David Bellmont were both named preseason
All-Americans by Consensus Draft Services. They are the second and
third players in school history to earn that honor after Andrew
Jackson became the first preseason and postseason All-American in
2008.
CHICAGO CONNECTION
The 2009 Warriors feature eight players from the Chicago-area,
including five freshmen, most notably running back Jimon Hill.
Senior captain Bernard Cooper also hails from Illinois. Freshman
Michael Wiggins (Dolton, IL) registered his first career sack
against AIC.
REPLACING AN ALL-AMERICAN
The graduation loss of Andrew Jackson, who became the first
first-team All-American in program history last season, left some
giant shoes to fill. Richard Johnson is ready to step up and fill
the cornerback and kick returning positions while Chris Laham takes
over for Jackson on punt returns. Peter Early, Anthony Taylor, and
Jason Fischer will also see significant time in the secondary. Tony
Johnson, another All-American candidate, will wear Andrew
Jackson’s No. 24 this season.
OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTABLES
Although there will be many new faces on defense this season, a
lot of experience returns at the linebacker position. Shane Brown,
Rhandy Audate, Tony Johnson and Marc Benjamin, linebackers who
either started or saw significant playing time, all return, while
Shawn Loiseau inherits a more prominent role as a sophomore. Up
front, Garrett Boyd and Bernard Cooper anchor the line, with
Anthony Taylor directing the secondary.
BREAKING DOWN THE SCHEDULE
The Merrimack College football team has been selected to finish
third in the Northeast-10 Conference in 2009 by the conference
coaches. Six home games and tough road match-ups at American
International and Southern Connecticut highlight the 2009 Merrimack
College football schedule. The Warriors open its season with three
straight home games, including non-conference battles with the
Yellow Jackets on September 5 and Division III Husson University on
September 12. After hosting Stonehill in the final game of this
three-game homestand on September 18, they will head to Saint
Anselm on September 26, looking to avenge last season’s 48-42
upset loss at the hands of the Hawks. The Warriors will host
Bentley on October 3, then travel to Assumption on October 10
before hosting New Haven on October 17 for Homecoming Weekend.
Merrimack’s season may, however, depend on the outcome of two
late October road games that will see the Warriors visit the
defending conference champion American International on October 24
and then travel on a short week for a Friday night battle with the
preseason favorite Southern Connecticut State Owls on October 30.
The Warriors will conclude their season on November 7 when they
host Pace for Senior Day.
LAST MEETING
No previous meetings.
WARRIORS ON THE AIR
The Merrimack Athletics Department has teamed up with B2 Networks
to deliver live broadband broadcasts for the second straight
season. Warrior games that will be streamed online include all home
football, basketball and hockey broadcasts. Games can be purchased
on a season or single game basis.











