Merrimack beats Bucknell behind Corbett's 166 yards and four sacks from Lenon
Merrimack beats Bucknell behind Corbett's 166 yards and four sacks from Lenon
Jermaine Corbett led the Merrimack offense with 166 yards rushing, and the Warriors picked up their first win of the season, 31-21, over Bucknell on Saturday night.
Corbett also rushed for a touchdown and has averaged over seven yards per carry through three games.
The Warriors went to sophomore quarterback Ayden Pereira, who delivered, going 11 for 15 for 147 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
Pereira found star wideout Donovan Wadley three times for 73 yards.
Merrimack trailed 14-10 in the second quarter when Pereira hit Ty Yocum on a 30-yard gain. That set up a 25-yard touchdown run by Corbett with under two minutes left in the half, which gave the Warriors a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Merrimack’s defense was up to the challenge all night. The Warriors forced a three-and-out on Bucknell’s opening drive of the second half. On Merrimack’s first possession of the second half, Pereira found Brendon Wyatt in the right flat, and he made it to the pylon for a 13-yard touchdown, which gave the Warriors a 10-point lead.
Bucknell got the ball back after the score, but Jay Thompson stip-sacked Bucknell QB Ralph Rucker IV, and Merrimack lineman Nicholas Lenon scooped it up and ran about 50 yards for a touchdown.
The Warriors sacked Rucker seven times; Lenon had four sacks. Merrimack also had two interceptions, with Donte Williams and Grant Jackson each snagging balls.
The Warriors improved to 1-2 on the season. They’ll play their home opener next Saturday against Maine at Duane Stadium. The Black Bears are also 1-2 following Saturday’s 51-22 loss to Monmouth. Maine beat Colgate on Aug. 30 and fell to Montana State last week.