Preview: Merrimack hits the road to take on Morgan State
Merrimack football is back after the bye week, and the Warriors travel to Morgan State to face the Bears at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore.
The Warriors are 1-4 after a last-second loss to Dartmouth on Homecoming two weeks ago. The Warriors are 1-2 against FCS opponents, beating Bucknell and falling to Maine and Dartmouth.
Morgan State is 3-3, with wins over Hampton, Virginia Lynchburg, and Lincoln. The Bears have fallen to Towson, Ohio, and Stony Brook.
Merrimack vs. Morgan State
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Venue: Hughes Stadium (10,001)
Location: Baltimore, Md.
History: This will be the first meeting between the programs.
Scouting the Bears
The Bears are coming off a 41-0 win over Lincoln University (D-II) last week. They're led by head coach Damon Wilson, who is in his third season after coming from Bowie State. The Warriors played Wilson's Bowie State team in 2015.
The Bears come into this weekend's matchup banged up. Starting quarterback Taj Smith has been hurt and was listed as the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart. However, Wilson said there was a chance Smith could be back for Saturday's game. If he can't go, Duce Taylor is expected to start.
"Hopefully Taj we get back this week," Wilson said. "If not, after our bye."
The Bears are also banged up on the offensive line. Wilson said this week that they're without seven offensive linemen and have yet to start the same group in back-to-back weeks all season.
"By default, we've had to use some of our younger guys," he said. "They know we trust them and it gives them an opportunity. We're being challenged right now. Our line is three freshmen and two sophomores, and our No. 2 quarterback."
Wilson also said he knows the Warriors will be a big test with what they bring on defense.
"We watched them on film, and they fly around defensively," he said. "They put an emphasis on stopping the run, and they run the ball well offensively. They get after it. They have a lot of young men from this area on their roster so I am familiar with a number of their guys. We are going to have our hands full."
Three Things for the Warriors
1. Bring the heat
You read the quotes. Morgan State is likely starting three freshmen and two sophomores on the offensive line. Defensively, Merrimack should be able to cause a lot of chaos (borrowing that term from Joe Gallo and men's basketball) and keep Morgan State's offense â which might also be starting its backup quarterback â off balance.
This could be a big day for Nicholas Lenon, Tyler Leavy, DJ Frazier, and Jay Thompson. All four players are also returning home this weekend. Frazier is from D.C., while Lenon, Leavy, and Thompson are all from Baltimore. The Warriors have 31 players from Maryland and seven players from D.C. on the roster.
2. What is the injury status coming out of the bye week?
Merrimack was without a number of starters for the Dartmouth game two weeks ago, but there was some hope that a few of the players could return this week.
We're keeping an eye specifically on playmaker Donovan Wadley and defensive back Grant Jackson. If Malakai Anthony and Grant McCusker remain sidelined, the Warriors will likely start Ayden Pereira at quarterback.
Jackson and Wadley both missed the Dartmouth game.
In Jackson's absence, Deon Houston had a huge day, totaling five tackles (3 for a loss), two pass breakups, and he nearly had an interception in the fourth quarter. Even if Jackson returns, Houston likely earned more snaps after his performance against the Big Green.
3. Be better on third down
Merrimack's third-down defense was a hallmark last season, but the Warriors have dropped below the middle of the pack in that category this season.
The Warriors were No. 1 on third down last season in the FCS (22.8%). This season, the Warriors are ranked No. 77 (43.1%).
Given the injuries Merrimack has faced offensively, an attack based on ball control and the ground game has been key. Time of possession is a big factor in being able to control the game in that manner, and Merrimack's inability to get off the field on third down has kept the ball in the opponent's hands too often.