The Yale Bulldogs host the Merrimack Warriors on Saturday at the Bowl for the Elis’ Ivy League opener. The game is set to kick off at noon and the game will air on ESPN+.
Merrimack enters the contest with a 2-3 record following a brutal slate of FCS opponents, two of which were ranked, and one FBS opponent. Last week, Merrimack knocked off New Haven 17-10 in a sloppy matchup in the rain. This game is the perfect matchup for Yale coming off of a tough loss at Cornell, as the Bulldogs have a chance to work out flaws on both sides of the ball against a beatable opponent, while also challenging the units as the Warriors have enough talent to knock off Yale if the Bulldogs cannot execute.
The Merrimack offense features an aggressive scheme leaning heavily on a physical ground game and portal additions at the skill spots. Sophomore QB AJ Hairston (6-2, 205 lbs.) leads the unit following his transfer from UMass, bringing dual-threat capabilities. Hairston has struggled with accuracy and decision-making, completing just 55.6% of his passes with 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Sophomore QB Cole Meehan (6-1, 195 lbs.) has also seen action this year with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. The backfield features bruising junior RB Matthias Latham (5-10, 200 lbs.), who paces the team with 358 rushing yards, alongside senior RB Galamama Mulbah (5-9, 195 lbs.) and explosive junior RB DeMarcus McElroy (5-10, 190 lbs.). All three of Merrimack’s top backs are averaging over 4.0 yards per carry. UMass transfer junior WR Kenyon Massey (6-0, 185 lbs.) anchors the receiving corps alongside junior WR Austin Palmer (6-3, 190 lbs.) and sophomore WR Stephon Patrick (5-11, 180 lbs.). Palmer leads the Warriors in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns with 15 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns. At tight end, junior Ty Yocum (6-3, 240 lbs.) provides a reliable target over the middle with decent blocking skills. The offensive line averages 305.0 lbs. across the board and is a fairly experienced unit with four players returning with playing experience, including a former starter at Marist. The offensive line could be the best run-blocking unit that we’ve faced to date this season, paving the way for 4.3 yards per carry, but the unit has not been outstanding at pass blocking, allowing 8 sacks on the season. The Bulldogs have to find a way to shut down the ground game this week and force Merrimack into 3rd downs where they succeed on only 31.8% of attempts. Physicality at the line of scrimmage will be a necessity, linebackers need clean tackling fundamentals, and the secondary has to eliminate penalties and mental errors.
Stopping the ground game also happens to be Merrimack’s identity on defense. The Warriors have only allowed 95.2 rushing yards per game, or 3.4 yards per carry, despite playing a very difficult slate of opponents. The Bulldogs will be very familiar with senior LB/DE Micah Green (5-11, 220 lbs.), who transferred from Dartmouth and is currently the second-leading tackler with 25 total tackles on the season. Senior LB Rajahn Cooper (6-0, 220 lbs.) commands the center of the defense as a sure-tackling focal point, supported by sophomore LB Jacob Wilson(6-1, 230 lbs.). Junior LB Will Claude (6-1, 210 lbs.) has been very impactful when shooting into the backfield with 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Junior DL Logan Graham (6-2, 240 lbs.) has been very disruptive with 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks on the season. Sophomore DLs Bryce Ricks (6-2, 285 lbs.) and Dwayne Green Jr. (6-1, 250 lbs.) will also be challenging for our interior offensive linemen to contain. Senior S Danny Simms (6-0, 195 lbs.) patrols the back end and could be the top defender on the roster. Simms currently leads the team in tackles with 27 and has also recorded an interception as well as an astonishing two blocked kicks. Senior DB Bertrin Placide (6-0, 190 lbs.) is a transfer from Tennessee Tech and leads the team with two interceptions. While finding a running rhythm for the Yale offense would be great, the contest will likely boil down to how the Elis are able to exploit the Warriors’ coverage schemes. The pressure is once again on the offensive line for stellar blocking to keep Hewitt or Reno comfortable while finding an open Santiago or Anderson.
Junior K Guytano Bartolomeo (5-11, 180 lbs.) has struggled this season, connecting on only one of his five field goal attempts. Senior P Mike Ryan (5-11, 160 lbs.) averages a decent 35.8 yards per punt and has placed 6 punts inside the red zone. Backup RB Mulbah is a very dangerous kick returner with an average return of 22.1 yards this season.
Go Bulldogs! Beat the Warriors!
4 replies on “Merrimack Preview”
Very sad news as Tony Reno passed away this morning. He his is so tragic for his family and the Yale Football family.
I’m sad and depressed
Truly sad news. Outstanding person and coach. Deepest sympathies to the Reno family.
At times like this , football is a mirror into our lives. When we look at Tony Reno , we realize just how much he did for sons than coach them. He inspired them , modeled what a man and a father should look like and then motivated them to win in football but also in life.
To the Reno family , our heartfelt condolences for losing the “leader of the band” but his presence is still with us through our sons and all they do is.
The Henleys