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Central Connecticut at Merrimack

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Merrimack beat Central Connecticut 35–⁠24. It was their fifth meeting; after it, Central Connecticut led the series 3–⁠2.

AwayCentral Connecticut3–⁠8 in 2023
24
HomeMerrimack5–⁠6 in 2023
35

Final at Duane Stadium, North AndoverAttendance 1,879

At kickoff
44°F, clear, wind 14 mph from the northwest, gusts to 22 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Lawrence Municipal Airport (KLWM), 3 km from the stadium, six minutes before kickoff
Official
rick MartinGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Central Connecticut7314024
Merrimack7714735

Standouts

Player stats

Central Connecticut

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Matt Jenner11/1814822
Ricky Ortega1/1800
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Elijah Howard1367015
Matt Jenner1135113
Malik Thomas834019
Davion Johnson215010
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Davion Johnson670026
Malik Thomas244037
Elijah Howard335118
Peter Cleary1717

Merrimack

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Malakai Anthony11/1519030
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Tyvon Edmonds Jr.1970213
L.J. Robinson439030
Malakai Anthony737019
Donovan Wadley41307
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Donovan Wadley4113253
Seth Sweitzer462134
Jelani Mason1707
Jared Dunn1404
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Wes Matthews0001
Tre Jordan III0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Central ConnecticutMerrimack
308Total yards359
156Passing yards190
152Rushing yards169
8.2Yards per pass12.7
4.3Yards per rush4.2
21First downs15
3–⁠8Third downs5–⁠12
0–⁠0Fourth downs2–⁠3
3Turnovers0
1–⁠5Penalties6–⁠47
26:25Possession33:35

Efficiency

Central ConnecticutMerrimack
59%Success rate43%
0.25EPA per play0.28
1.05Explosiveness1.45
0.32Rushing EPA0.04
0.41Passing EPA0.89
40%Passing-down success29%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Merrimack 73% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Merrimack end zoneCentral Connecticut end zoneQ1 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 MerrimackTouchdown, 12 playsQ1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 5 playsQ2 MerrimackPunt, 3 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ2 MerrimackTouchdown, 11 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ2 MerrimackPunt, 3 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutField goal, 6 playsQ3 MerrimackTouchdown, 1 playQ3 MerrimackTouchdown, 4 playsQ3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 8 playsQ3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 MerrimackMissed FG, 10 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ4 MerrimackPunt, 6 playsQ4 MerrimackTouchdown, 2 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 3 playsQ4 MerrimackPunt, 3 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 5 playsQ4 MerrimackResult not recorded, 2 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Merrimack drives left to right, Central Connecticut right to left.
  1. Q1 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 12 plays, 77 yards
  2. Q1 MerrimackTouchdown, 12 plays, 50 yards
  3. Q1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 5 plays, 11 yards
  4. Q2 MerrimackPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  5. Q2 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  6. Q2 MerrimackTouchdown, 11 plays, 80 yards
  7. Q2 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  8. Q2 MerrimackPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  9. Q2 Central ConnecticutField goal, 6 plays, 60 yards
  10. Q3 MerrimackTouchdown, 1 play, 36 yards
  11. Q3 MerrimackTouchdown, 4 plays, 61 yards
  12. Q3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 8 plays, 74 yards
  13. Q3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 10 plays, 72 yards
  14. Q3 MerrimackMissed FG, 10 plays, 47 yards
  15. Q4 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, −6 yards
  16. Q4 MerrimackPunt, 6 plays, 30 yards
  17. Q4 MerrimackTouchdown, 2 plays, 6 yards
  18. Q4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 3 plays, −15 yards
  19. Q4 MerrimackPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  20. Q4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 5 plays, 35 yards
  21. Q4 MerrimackResult not recorded, 2 plays, −1 yard

Play by play

1st quarter3 drives, then Tied at 7
Central Connecticut Touchdown, 12 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 63 yds , Davion Johnson return for 18 yds to the CCSU 20
15:001st & 10 at own 20Davion Johnson run for 5 yds to the CCSU 25
15:002nd & 5 at own 25Elijah Howard run for 4 yds to the CCSU 29
15:003rd & 1 at own 29Elijah Howard run for 3 yds to the CCSU 32 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 32Elijah Howard run for 8 yds to the CCSU 40
15:002nd & 2 at own 40Malik Thomas run for 3 yds to the CCSU 43 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 43Matt Jenner pass incomplete to Delvin Attafah, broken up by Kenneth Cooper Central Connecticut Penalty, illegal formation (Shayne Manson) to the CCSU 38
15:001st & 15 at own 38Matt Jenner run for 13 yds to the MRMK 49
15:002nd & 2 at opp 49Malik Thomas run for 6 yds to the MRMK 43 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 43Matt Jenner pass complete to Davion Johnson for 20 yds to the MRMK 23 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 23Malik Thomas run for 4 yds to the MRMK 19
15:002nd & 6 at opp 19Malik Thomas run for 10 yds to the MRMK 9 for a 1ST down
8:461st & goal at opp 9Matt Jenner run for 9 yds for a TD (Jack Barnum KICK)Central Connecticut 7, Merrimack 0
Merrimack Touchdown, 12 plays
8:461st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 45 yds , Donovan Wadley return for 27 yds to the MRMK 47
8:461st & 10 at own 47Malakai Anthony pass complete to Seth Sweitzer for 9 yds to the CCSU 44
8:462nd & 1 at opp 44Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 4 yds to the CCSU 40 for a 1ST down
8:461st & 10 at opp 40Malakai Anthony run for 6 yds to the CCSU 34
8:462nd & 4 at opp 34Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 2 yds to the CCSU 32
8:463rd & 2 at opp 32Malakai Anthony run for 19 yds to the CCSU 13 for a 1ST down
8:461st & 10 at opp 13Donovan Wadley run for 7 yds to the CCSU 6
8:462nd & 3 at opp 6Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 3 yds to the CCSU 3 for a 1ST down
8:461st & goal at opp 3Wadley,Donovan rush , TOUCHDOWN, PENALTY MER holding (Yocum,Ty) 10 yards to the CCS-7. Merrimack Penalty, Offensive holding (Ty Yocum) to the CCSU 13
8:461st & goal at opp 13Malakai Anthony run for 1 yd to the CCSU 12
3:152nd & goal at opp 12LJ Robinson run for 9 yds to the CCSU 3
3:153rd & goal at opp 3Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 2 yds to the CCSU 1
2:094th & goal at opp 1Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 1 yd for a TD (Lliam Davis KICK)Tied at 7
Central Connecticut Punt, 5 plays
2:091st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
2:091st & 10 at own 25Matt Jenner run for 8 yds to the CCSU 33
2:092nd & 2 at own 33Elijah Howard run for 3 yds to the CCSU 36 for a 1ST down
2:091st & 10 at own 36Elijah Howard run for 1 yd to the CCSU 37
2:092nd & 9 at own 37Matt Jenner run for a loss of 1 yard to the CCSU 36
Q2 15:003rd & 10 at own 36pass incomplete to Elijah Howard
Q2 14:464th & 10 at own 36Aiden Clark punt for 64 yds
2nd quarter6 drives, then Merrimack 14, Central Connecticut 10
Merrimack Punt, 3 plays
14:461st & 10 at own 20Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 2 yds to the MRMK 22
14:462nd & 8 at own 22Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 1 yd to the MRMK 23
14:463rd & 7 at own 23Malakai Anthony pass incomplete to LJ Robinson, broken up by Khristan Hernandez
13:254th & 7 at own 23Cole Peterson punt for 37 yds
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
13:251st & 10 at own 40Elijah Howard run for 5 yds to the CCSU 45
13:252nd & 5 at own 45pass incomplete to Delvin Attafah
12:313rd & 5 at own 45pass incomplete to Davion Johnson
12:144th & 5 at own 45Aiden Clark punt for 38 yds
Merrimack Touchdown, 11 plays
12:141st & 10 at own 17Donovan Wadley run for 4 yds to the MRMK 21
12:142nd & 6 at own 21Malakai Anthony pass complete to Jelani Mason for 7 yds to the MRMK 28 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at own 28Malakai Anthony pass complete to Donovan Wadley for 15 yds to the MRMK 43 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at own 43LJ Robinson run for 30 yds to the CCSU 27 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at opp 27pass incomplete to Seth Sweitzer
12:142nd & 10 at opp 27Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 5 yds to the CCSU 22
12:143rd & 5 at opp 22Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 4 yds to the CCSU 18
12:144th & 1 at opp 18Donovan Wadley run for 4 yds to the CCSU 14 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at opp 14Anthony,Malakai rush left (Bryson,Gavin).
12:142nd & 10 at opp 14Merrimack Penalty, false start (Nick Reimer) to the CCSU 19
12:142nd & 15 at opp 19Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 12 yds to the CCSU 7
12:143rd & 3 at opp 7Merrimack Penalty, false start (Cole Birdow) to the CCSU 12
4:513rd & 8 at opp 12Malakai Anthony pass complete to Seth Sweitzer for 12 yds for a TD (Lliam Davis KICK)Merrimack 14, Central Connecticut 7
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
4:511st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 60 yds , Davion Johnson return for 16 yds to the CCSU 21
4:511st & 10 at own 21Malik Thomas run for a loss of 6 yards to the CCSU 15
4:512nd & 16 at own 15Ricky Ortega run for 1 yd to the CCSU 16 Ricky Ortega fumbled, recovered by CCSU Ricky Ortega Ortega,Ricky rush left for 1 yard to the CCS16, fumble by Ortega,Ricky recovered by CCS Ortega,Ricky, Ortega,Ricky rush (McKoy III,Tommie). Ortega,Ricky rush left for 1 yard to the CCS16, fumble by Ortega,Ricky recovered by CCS Ortega,Ricky, Ortega,Ricky rush (McKoy III,Tommie).
4:513rd & 15 at own 16Ricky Ortega pass complete to Davion Johnson for 8 yds to the CCSU 24
2:404th & 7 at own 24Aiden Clark punt for 50 yds , Garry Rosemond Jr. returns for 13 yds to the MRMK 39
Merrimack Punt, 3 plays
2:401st & 10 at own 39Brendon Wyatt run for 3 yds to the MRMK 42
2:402nd & 7 at own 42Brendon Wyatt run for 2 yds to the MRMK 44
2:403rd & 5 at own 44pass incomplete to LJ Robinson
1:054th & 5 at own 44Cole Peterson punt for 32 yds , Michael Plaskon returns for 9 yds to the CCSU 33
Central Connecticut Field goal, 6 plays
1:051st & 10 at own 33Elijah Howard run for 13 yds to the CCSU 46 for a 1ST down
1:051st & 10 at own 46Elijah Howard run for a loss of 1 yard to the CCSU 45
0:292nd & 11 at own 45Matt Jenner pass complete to Davion Johnson for 26 yds to the MRMK 29 for a 1ST down
0:291st & 10 at opp 29Elijah Howard run for 15 yds to the MRMK 14 for a 1ST down
0:091st & 10 at opp 14Matt Jenner pass incomplete to Michael Plaskon for a 1ST down Merrimack Penalty, Defensive holding (Garry Rosemond Jr.) to the MRMK 7 for a 1ST down
3rd quarter5 drives, then Merrimack 28, Central Connecticut 24
Merrimack Touchdown, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 32 yds , Malek Sabri return for 3 yds to the MRMK 36
15:001st & 10 at own 36Malakai Anthony pass complete to Seth Sweitzer for 7 yds to the MRMK 43
15:002nd & 3 at own 43Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 1 yd to the MRMK 44
15:003rd & 2 at own 44Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 3 yds to the MRMK 47 for a 1ST down
13:011st & 10 at own 47Malakai Anthony pass complete to Donovan Wadley for 53 yds for a TD (Lliam Davis KICK)
Central Connecticut Touchdown, 8 plays
13:011st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 57 yds , Davion Johnson return for 15 yds to the CCSU 23
13:011st & 10 at own 23Elijah Howard run for 8 yds to the CCSU 31
13:012nd & 2 at own 31Matt Jenner pass incomplete to Delvin Attafah, broken up by Grant Jackson for a 1ST down Merrimack Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Grant Jackson) to the CCSU 46 for a 1ST down
13:011st & 10 at own 46Elijah Howard run for 1 yd to the CCSU 47
13:012nd & 9 at own 47Davion Johnson run for 10 yds to the MRMK 43 for a 1ST down
13:011st & 10 at opp 43Elijah Howard run for 2 yds to the MRMK 41
13:012nd & 8 at opp 41Matt Jenner pass complete to Malik Thomas for 37 yds to the MRMK 4 for a 1ST down
13:011st & goal at opp 4Matt Jenner run for a loss of 3 yards to the MRMK 7
9:092nd & goal at opp 7Matt Jenner pass complete to Peter Cleary for 7 yds for a TD (Jack Barnum KICK)
Merrimack Touchdown, 1 play
9:091st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 50 yds , Tre Jordan III return for 3 yds to the CCSU 39 , Donovan Wadley return for no gain to the CCSU 39 , Garry Rosemond Jr. return for 44 yds to the CCSU 39
8:491st & 10 at opp 39Malakai Anthony pass complete to Donovan Wadley for 39 yds for a TD (Lliam Davis KICK)
Central Connecticut Touchdown, 10 plays
8:491st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:491st & 10 at own 25Elijah Howard run for 5 yds to the CCSU 30
8:492nd & 5 at own 30pass incomplete to Paul Marsh Jr.
8:493rd & 5 at own 30Matt Jenner pass complete to Elijah Howard for 6 yds to the CCSU 36 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 10 at own 36Matt Jenner pass complete to Davion Johnson for a loss of 2 yards to the CCSU 34
8:492nd & 12 at own 34Malik Thomas run for 19 yds to the MRMK 47 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 10 at opp 47Malik Thomas run for a loss of 3 yards to the 50 yard line
8:492nd & 13 at the 50Matt Jenner run for 10 yds to the MRMK 40
8:493rd & 3 at opp 40Matt Jenner run for 10 yds to the MRMK 30 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 10 at opp 30Matt Jenner pass complete to Davion Johnson for 12 yds to the MRMK 18 for a 1ST down
3:331st & 10 at opp 18Matt Jenner pass complete to Elijah Howard for 18 yds for a TD (Jack Barnum KICK)
Merrimack Missed FG, 10 plays
3:271st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 47 yds , Garry Rosemond Jr. return for 15 yds to the MRMK 33
3:271st & 10 at own 33LJ Robinson run for 3 yds to the MRMK 36
3:272nd & 7 at own 36Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 13 yds to the MRMK 49 for a 1ST down
3:271st & 10 at own 49Malakai Anthony pass complete to Jalen McDonald for 4 yds to the CCSU 47
3:272nd & 6 at opp 47Malakai Anthony run for a loss of 1 yard to the CCSU 48
3:273rd & 7 at opp 48Malakai Anthony run for 16 yds to the CCSU 32 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 32Brendon Wyatt run for 11 yds to the CCSU 21 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 21Donovan Wadley run for a loss of 2 yards to the CCSU 23
Q4 15:002nd & 12 at opp 23Malakai Anthony pass complete to Donovan Wadley for 6 yds to the CCSU 17
Q4 15:003rd & 6 at opp 17LJ Robinson run for a loss of 3 yards to the CCSU 20
Q4 11:574th & 9 at opp 20Lliam Davis 37 yd FG MISSED
4th quarter7 drives, then Merrimack 35, Central Connecticut 24
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
11:571st & 10 at own 20Malik Thomas run for 1 yd to the CCSU 21
11:572nd & 9 at own 21Matt Jenner sacked for a loss of 7 yards to the CCSU 14
11:573rd & 16 at own 14pass incomplete to Malik Thomas Central Connecticut Penalty, Offensive holding (Mason Schloop) to the CCSU 14
10:244th & 16 at own 14Aiden Clark punt for 52 yds
Merrimack Punt, 6 plays
10:241st & 10 at own 34Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for a loss of 4 yards to the MRMK 30
10:242nd & 14 at own 30Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 6 yds to the MRMK 36
10:243rd & 8 at own 36Malakai Anthony pass complete to Seth Sweitzer for 34 yds to the CCSU 30 for a 1ST down
10:241st & 10 at opp 30pass incomplete to Donovan Wadley
10:242nd & 10 at opp 30Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 3 yds to the CCSU 27
7:133rd & 7 at opp 27Malakai Anthony sacked for a loss of 4 yards to the CCSU 31
7:134th & 11 at opp 31Merrimack Penalty, delay of game (Malakai Anthony) to the CCSU 36
6:144th & 16 at opp 36Cole Peterson punt for 27 yds , Khristan Hernandez returns for no gain to the CCSU 9
Merrimack Touchdown, 2 plays
6:141st & goal at opp 9Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 6 yds to the CCSU 3
5:452nd & goal at opp 3Tyvon Edmonds Jr. run for 3 yds for a TD (Lliam Davis KICK)
Central Connecticut Interception, 3 plays
5:371st & 10 at own 35Lliam Davis kickoff for 54 yds , Davion Johnson return for 23 yds to the CCSU 34
5:372nd & 19 at own 25Matt Jenner sacked for a loss of 6 yards to the CCSU 19
4:233rd & 25 at own 19Matt Jenner pass intercepted
Merrimack Punt, 3 plays
4:232nd & 7 at opp 47Edmonds Jr.,Tyvon rush right (Anderson,Jayden;Washington,Luquay).
4:233rd & 7 at opp 47Malakai Anthony pass complete to Jared Dunn for 4 yds to the CCSU 43
4:234th & 3 at opp 43Brendon Wyatt run for a loss of 3 yards to the CCSU 46
2:341st & 10 at opp 46Cole Peterson punt for 22 yds
Central Connecticut Interception, 5 plays
2:341st & 10 at own 24Matt Jenner run for 11 yds to the CCSU 35 for a 1ST down
2:341st & 10 at own 35Matt Jenner pass complete to Davion Johnson for 6 yds to the CCSU 41
2:342nd & 4 at own 41Matt Jenner pass complete to Malik Thomas for 7 yds to the CCSU 48 for a 1ST down
2:341st & 10 at own 48Matt Jenner pass complete to Elijah Howard for 11 yds to the MRMK 41 for a 1ST down
1:161st & 10 at opp 41Matt Jenner pass intercepted
Merrimack Result not recorded, 2 plays
1:161st & 10 at own 34Malakai Anthony run for a loss of 1 yard to the MRMK 33
1:162nd & 11 at own 33Malakai Anthony run for a loss of 2 yards to the MRMK 33

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Central Connecticut–Merrimack game

Tied 3–⁠3 in six meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Merrimack 16, Central Connecticut 14
2023Merrimack 35, Central Connecticut 24
2022Merrimack 20, Central Connecticut 14
2021Central Connecticut 49, Merrimack 21
2019Central Connecticut 40, Merrimack 37
2007Central Connecticut 45, Merrimack 7

Around this game

Central Connecticut

Merrimack

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 11