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Merrimack
Sept 6, 2021 12:10:05 GMT -5
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Post by hc2020 on Sept 6, 2021 12:10:05 GMT -5
Let’s turn the page to our next opponent:
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Merrimack
Sept 6, 2021 12:13:43 GMT -5
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Post by hc2020 on Sept 6, 2021 12:13:43 GMT -5
Merrimack Junior WR Anthony Norcia was a former Boston Herald All-Scholastic at Everett High School.
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 6, 2021 18:19:22 GMT -5
Massey picks HC by 26 over Merrimack (36-10) HC is assigned a 95% chance for the win.
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Post by dharry13 on Sept 6, 2021 18:23:47 GMT -5
Weather looks excellent this weekend. I think what gives me the most optimism was the passing game. Yes, I know they only threw 14 times, but 10/14 is legit. I thought the pass blocking was solid.
I'd love to see them get the ball more to Ayir, use Morris some, screens to Purdy; in essence get some guys in space just a little more. If they can run 35 times a game and pass 20-25 I think that'd be a solid mix.
All that matters is W's, but a more balanced attack will bode well against better competition down the road.
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 6, 2021 18:24:29 GMT -5
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College football team's offense started to click late in the second quarter, then it was a runaway, as it flew past Saint Anselm by a 55-23 final Saturday afternoon at Duane Stadium.
In front of a raucous 3,827 fans, the Warrior defense shined in the game's opening half and let Merrimack's high-powered offense get going. Tyler Roberts reeled in an 18-yard pass from Westin Elliott with 2:59 to play before the halftime gun to make it a 9-7 Hawk lead, then Pat Conroy fought for a 17-yard score with just 32 seconds to play in the opening half hour and Merrimack never surrendered the lead after that.
Elliott lit up the field in his Warrior debut, as he threw for 374 yards, five touchdowns and completed 29-of-35 passes. Merrimack's offensive attack was balanced, as it rumbled on the ground for an additional 210 yards, led by 69 from Victor Dawson.
On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary had plenty of highlights. Kenneth Cooper had a pick-six from 41 yards out and Donte Williams and Jason Labbe II also had interceptions on the afternoon. Tyler Leavy was a force in the interior, as he tied for the team game-high in tackles with four and had 1.5 tackles for loss, including half a sack. He also forced, then recovered a fumble.
The Essentials Score: Merrimack 55, Saint Anselm 23 Records: Merrimack (1-0, 0-0 NEC) | Saint Anselm (0-1, 0-0 NE10)
How It Happened Merrimack had a difficult time moving the ball in the game's opening quarter and a half and the Hawks took advantage to the tune of an early 9-0 lead. After an interception returned for a touchdown brought the Hawk lead to nine, the Warriors retaliated on the next possession. Elliott and the Warriors marched downfield for 63 yards in 11 plays and capped it with a dart over the middle to Roberts, who easily hauled in the host's first score of the season. The Hawks went three-and-out and gave Merrimack the ball back with 2:10 to play in the half, which was more than enough time to take the lead. Another quick and efficient drive ended in the hands of Conroy, who caught a perfectly placed ball from Elliott near the back pylon to put the Warriors in front at the half. St. Anselm drove the ball to midfield to start the second half, but Williams' interception spelled the end to that drive and opened the door once again for the offense. Merrimack worked it down towards the red zone and was forced into a fourth-and-short situation. Matt Brehon got the sticks and a lot more when he fought through the line of scrimmage and went in nearly untouched 26 yards for the touchdown. The Hawks put an end to the Warrior run with a score with 8:48 to play in the third, but momentum did not shift hands. Elliott hooked up with Johnny Rosario on a 42-yard bomb to bring Merrimack to the Hawk eight-yard-line, then Camari Glasgow took a shovel pass to the house to bring the lead to 28-16. Williams made another big defensive play to stop the ensuing Saint Anselm drive, then the rout was on. Elliott found Conroy for a 46-yard connection to close the third quarter at the Hawk seven-yard-line, then connected with Anthony Norcia on the next play to all but put the game away at 35-16. Just two plays later, Cooper picked off Hawk quarterback, Drew Willoughby, and ran it back 41 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. Merrimack tacked on a couple more scores late, as Norcia reeled in his second receiving touchdown of the day and Tyvon Edmonds Jr. went for 48 yards combined on two straight plays to find pay dirt. Individual Highlights Rosario broke the century mark with 104 receiving yards to lead all Warriors. It was his second career 100-yard game. Norcia's seven catches led all Merrimack receivers. Cory Hagerman topped all Warriors with four solo tackles. Caleb Holden dominated in the secondary with a game-high three pass break-ups. Nick Martino, Nicholas Lenon and Williams also registered sacks. Notes & Numbers Merrimack kept Saint Anselm to just three conversions on 13 third downs. The Warriors topped the Hawks in time of possession, 37:44 to 22:16. Merrimack converted on seven of its 13 chances on third down. The Warriors topped the Hawks in total offense, 577-225.
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Merrimack
Sept 6, 2021 18:28:06 GMT -5
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Post by HC92 on Sept 6, 2021 18:28:06 GMT -5
Merrimack will step up a few levels of opponent this week. We will probably step down a half level in opponent. Will be interesting to see how the teams respond.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 6, 2021 19:45:56 GMT -5
Merrimack has 29 players from Maryland- that seems like a real oddity to me. Head coach Dan Curran (responsible for recruiting Maryland, DC, VA) either has some great contacts there or he just prefers the guys he sees over those his assistants pursue. Merrimack has 24 players from Massachusetts
Merrimack blasted St A's 55-23, but it's good to note that D-2 St Anselm's , which did not play last season, gave up 50+ points to California (PA), Assumption, and Tiffin in 2019, last full season. For additional perspective we see that last season Merrimack scored 36 total points for the 3 game season against Bryant. Sacred Heart, and LIU. Maybe the takeaway is that we can't really tell much from Merrimack's first game. Of course I do know that the team has some different players now versus 2020
I really like our chances to put this one out of range early
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Post by bfoley82 on Sept 6, 2021 19:51:00 GMT -5
Merrimack has 29 players from Maryland- that seems like a real oddity to me. Head coach Dan Curran (responsible for recruiting Maryland, DC, VA) either has some great contacts there or he just prefers the guys he sees over those his assistants pursue. Merrimack has 24 players from Massachusetts Merrimack blasted St A's 55-23, but it's good to note that D-2 St Anselm's , which did not play last season, gave up 50+ points to California (PA), Assumption, and Tiffin in 2019, last full season. For additional perspective we see that last season Merrimack scored 36 total points for the 3 game season against Bryant. Sacred Heart, and LIU. Maybe the takeaway is that we can't really tell much from Merrimack's first game. Of course I do know that the team has some different players now versus 2020 I really like our chances to put this one out of range early Curran is a UNH grad and from Chelmsford so no clue on the MD, DC, VA connections. He played for the Saints and Seahawks in the NFL.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 6, 2021 20:07:09 GMT -5
Coach Curran's hobby is eating crab cakes fresh from Chesapeake Bay. It will be interesting if Coach Chesney uses this opportunity to air it out before good sportsmanship requires reverting to the run.
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Post by efg72 on Sept 6, 2021 20:39:50 GMT -5
Merrimack has 29 players from Maryland- that seems like a real oddity to me. Head coach Dan Curran (responsible for recruiting Maryland, DC, VA) either has some great contacts there or he just prefers the guys he sees over those his assistants pursue. Merrimack has 24 players from Massachusetts Merrimack blasted St A's 55-23, but it's good to note that D-2 St Anselm's , which did not play last season, gave up 50+ points to California (PA), Assumption, and Tiffin in 2019, last full season. For additional perspective we see that last season Merrimack scored 36 total points for the 3 game season against Bryant. Sacred Heart, and LIU. Maybe the takeaway is that we can't really tell much from Merrimack's first game. Of course I do know that the team has some different players now versus 2020 I really like our chances to put this one out of range early 2nd and even some third level players in this area make good or solid 1AA players - Over the years many of those kids played for Richmond, Towson, Delaware, William and Mary, James Madison, Elon, Marist, Villanova and a few others. It appears as if Curran has tapped into the Washington and Baltimore Catholic and Private School leagues to establish himself in the area and eventually get that next level of player and athlete. Building a program it might be considered a great recruiting move.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 6, 2021 20:45:19 GMT -5
I am hopeful that this game against Merrimack doesn't turn into the equivalent of the Williams-HC basketball debacle.
Let us not look past these guys.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 6, 2021 21:14:46 GMT -5
I am hopeful that this game against Merrimack doesn't turn into the equivalent of the Williams-HC basketball debacle. Let us not look past these guys. Thank you for not employing the dreaded phrase. I am very confident that Coach Chesney will not let our Crusaders look past Merrimack. We will score early and often
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 6, 2021 23:24:35 GMT -5
I am hopeful that this game against Merrimack doesn't turn into the equivalent of the Williams-HC basketball debacle. Let us not look past these guys. Thank you for not employing the dreaded phrase. I am very confident that Coach Chesney will not let our Crusaders look past Merrimack. We will score early and often If it's rainy this could be a tarp game.😂
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 6, 2021 23:33:13 GMT -5
Well done--very well done!
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Post by thecrossisback on Sept 7, 2021 6:25:21 GMT -5
Is this a ring of honor game? Anybody know who is being inducted?
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Merrimack
Sept 7, 2021 13:38:49 GMT -5
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Post by hc2020 on Sept 7, 2021 13:38:49 GMT -5
Anybody have any info. on any injuries from Saturday’s game? Based upon how he left the field, it looked to me like Peter Oliver may have been concussed. Not sure how that was dealt with. I think if he left the field (he did not) he would have been required to enter the protocols for concussion-related injury. That requires some further testing and perhaps he would be unable to suit up this weekend.
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Post by hc87 on Sept 7, 2021 14:13:24 GMT -5
I know next to nothing about these guys but just going by their scores the last couple years (played some decent FCS schools pretty tough), I don't think this is going to be Columbia 1983 redux. Could be a.....won't say it.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 7, 2021 14:35:47 GMT -5
Anybody have any info. on any injuries from Saturday’s game? Based upon how he left the field, it looked to me like Peter Oliver may have been concussed. Not sure how that was dealt with. I think if he left the field (he did not) he would have been required to enter the protocols for concussion-related injury. That requires some further testing and perhaps he would be unable to suit up this weekend. This would be as good a week as any to rest if needed. Purdy came in like the Cavalry and makes being cautious with Oliver easier.
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Post by DiMarz on Sept 7, 2021 20:31:45 GMT -5
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Merrimack
Sept 7, 2021 20:39:24 GMT -5
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Sept 7, 2021 20:39:24 GMT -5
Last time Chesney faced Merrimack was in 2017 with Assumption.
Final Score: Assumption 56 Merrimack 7
Was 49-7 at half...
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 7, 2021 20:48:04 GMT -5
If anyone enjoyed reading "War and Peace" then you'll love the bio of Merrimack Head Coach Dan Curran on the Merrimack site. He does seem like a good young head coach like Bob Chesney. Welcome to D-1 and back to Worcester to face Coach Chesney again, Coach Curran.
O-line is big, but the long snapper is only 195 lb. A prop bet on an HC blocked kick might be a good investment.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Sept 7, 2021 20:59:27 GMT -5
The size of a lineman doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. Plenty of 270-280 pound lineman who are athletic, agile, and have good technique are much better than a sloppy 310 pound guy who takes up space and not much else.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 7, 2021 23:32:26 GMT -5
The size of a lineman doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. Plenty of 270-280 pound lineman who are athletic, agile, and have good technique are much better than a sloppy 310 pound guy who takes up space and not much else. Yes, for example, Meriimack prevailed against St Anselm despite the fact that St A's has an offensive lineman who is 6-6, 340 and a defensive lineman who is 6-0, 360.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 7, 2021 23:53:41 GMT -5
The size of a lineman doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. Plenty of 270-280 pound lineman who are athletic, agile, and have good technique are much better than a sloppy 310 pound guy who takes up space and not much else. Yes, for example, Meriimack prevailed against St Anselm despite the fact that St A's has an offensive lineman who is 6-6, 340 and a defensive lineman who is 6-0, 360. They serve delicious but heavy French Canadian meat pies in Manchester, NH.
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Merrimack
Sept 8, 2021 8:36:41 GMT -5
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Sept 8, 2021 8:36:41 GMT -5
If anyone enjoyed reading "War and Peace" then you'll love the bio of Merrimack Head Coach Dan Curran on the Merrimack site. He does seem like a good young head coach like Bob Chesney. Welcome to D-1 and back to Worcester to face Coach Chesney again, Coach Curran. O-line is big, but the long snapper is only 195 lb. A prop bet on an HC blocked kick might be a good investment. Especially after last week.
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