Warriors score two touchdowns, including blocked punt, to overcome halftime deficit in defensive battle
Friday had a big game to key the defensive line, finishing with a career-high seven tackles (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard) |
EASTON, Mass. (October 29, 2022) – Merrimack College scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to overcome a halftime deficit and remain unbeaten in Conference play and claim a 17-10 triumph over Stonehill College in Northeast Conference (NEC) football action on Timothy J. Coughlin, '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium this afternoon.
Merrimack claimed the win despite the Stonehill defense limiting the Warriors to 213 yards, including 72 in the first half, and a 1-for-14 day on third down conversions. Merrimack capped the comeback from a 10-0 first half deficit as sophomore Tre Jordan III recovered a blocked punt by freshman Kendal Sims in the endzone for a touchdown with 2:31 to play in the third quarter.
Stonehill put all three of their fourth quarter possessions into Merrimack territory, but was unable to take advantage, turning the ball over on downs, before turning the ball over twice with a fumble and interception down the stretch.
Diamantis scored a 50-yard touchdown that gave the Skyhawks a 10-0 lead in the second quarter (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard) |
Leaders
Stonehill
Senior linebacker Steve Cmielewski: Eight tackles (three solo), pass breakup.
Sophomore defensive tackle Vahn Friday: Career-high seven tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackles for loss of three yards, pass breakup.
Senior defensive end Nate Hautala: Four tackles (one solo), including sack for loss of three.
Junior wide receiver Will Diamantis: Three receptions for career-high 69 yards, touchdown.
Junior running back Jermaine Corbett: 23 carries for 93 yards.
Merrimack
Sophomore linebacker Donte Williams: Nine tackles (six solo), 2.5 tackles for loss of eight yards, 1.5 sacks for loss of seven, interception and pass breakup.
Junior defensive lineman Jordan Riggs: Two solo tackles, 2.0 sacks for loss of 13.
Postgrad linebacker Rodney Samson: Ten tackles (five solo), fumble recovery.
Sophomore running back Tyvon Edmonds, Jr.: 14 carries for 66 yards, touchdown.
How it Happened
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Stonehill built a 10-0 lead in the first half, starting with a 28-yard field goal from junior Perry Shelbred with 5:39 to play in the first quarter after both teams came up empty on their first two possessions of the game.
Hautala added four tackles, including a sack (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes) - Diamantis extended the Stonehill lead to 10-0 when he collected a pass from sophomore quarterback Ashur Carraha and ran it in from 50-yards out 3:05 into the second period to cap an eight play, 85-yard possession.
- Merrimack was able to pull three points back at the half, with sophomore Lliam Davis capping the second quarter with a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the frame.
- Merrimack would respond with 14 unanswered points to secure the win, starting with a 13-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half, capped by a 24-yard touchdown run by Edmonds, Jr., to knot the score at ten points apiece.
- Merrimack was able to flip the field on Stonehill late in the quarter, grabbing the lead for the first time with 2:31 remaining in the third when Jordan III collected the blocked punt by Sims in the endzone.
- Stonehill had its chances in the fourth, driving to the Merrimack 18 during a drive that consumed nearly six minutes before turning the ball over on downs. The Skyhawks moved to the Merrimack 15, before a fumble forced by Sims was recovered by Samson with 1:58 to play.
- Stonehill still got one last chance to force overtime, starting with great field position on its own 46 after a Warriors punt, but Carraha was intercepted in the end zone by Williams as time expired.
Noteworthy
- Stonehill held Merrimack to just 33 passing yards on 3-of-17 attempts.
Up Next:
Stonehill (3-3, 1-3 NEC) is right back in action here at W.B. Mason Stadium next Saturday, when it hosts Wagner College for an NEC matchup at 1 p.m. Merrimack (6-2, 5-0 NEC) will have a bye week, before visiting Central Connecticut State University on Saturday, November 12, at noon.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
