Merrimack opens his home football schedule on Saturday against a well -known division II opponent, Saint Anselm. The kick -off was moved until 1 p.m., a proactive adjustment pending heavy weather that is expected to roll through the Merrimack valley on Saturday evening.
The Warriors enter the matchup in search of a hard-fought loss of 21-17 in Kent State, while Saint Anselm arrives for a decisive 34-10 victory over pace.
The Warriors played the role of hopeful spoiler against FBS opponent last week Kent State. This week the roles turn around. Saint Anselm comes to Duane Stadium as a Division II program from the northeastern 10, who would like to make his own statement.
The Hawks were a middle-of-the-pack D-II team a year ago and ended with 5-5. Yet the album does not tell the full story. Only one of those losses was due to more than a touchdown, and they pushed FCS -Heart Heilig Hart to the limit before they fell 10-3.
For context, Sacred Heart beat Merrimack last season with 11 points, 31-20. So Saint Anselm kept it closer to the pioneers.
Last week the attack of the Hawks had its way with pace, stacked recruiting and easily set up points. On paper, Merrimack has much more talent than pace. But if the Warriors treat this as a shift game, simply because the opponent is wearing a Division II label, the afternoon can take a dangerous turn.
I do not expect that that will happen, but if there is one problem with a matchup like this, it can be survived.
The Warriors will have to find an answer for the intervening passing attack, an area where Saint Anselm excelled, dating from last season. The Hawks were an average of 11.3 yards per completion in last week’s victory on pace. Last season they ranked only no. 145 of the 159 Division II programs in that category with 10.1 yards per completion.
They complete a large percentage of their passes, but they are not looking for large plays Downfield. They are many small play play that runs to the possession and first downs.
In the victory at the pace, starting with Quarterback DREW FORNER Placed 11.6 yards per completion, but that number was blown up by a strike of 37 meters to Kyle Verriest. His other 13 completies went for a more modest 9.6 yards per completion.
Merrimack looked like a team that was still looking for his attacking identity last week Kent State. Ayden Pereira caused flashes of sparkle with large games both on the ground and through the air. But the Warriors did not reach the end zone until the fourth quarter, and the attack felt with attacks and begins.
This week offers an opportunity to get on the accelerator and dictate the pace.
The running match had difficulty finding a grip outside Pereira and colleague Quarterback Aveon Smith. Exclusive Quarterback Runs (designed or clambering), the Warriors succeeded in just 30 meters out of 12 carrys.
That must change. The ground game must set the tone. After viewing him in Spurts last season spelling Jermaine CorbettI still believe Brendon Wyatt Can be a backback for the Warriors. Matthew Latham Also offers a valuable change of pace. The tools are – the Warriors only have to establish consistency and trust in the Run game.
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