Football Closes Out Season with Loss at Merrimack

North Andover, Mass. – Merrimack College is located just a few miles from the Andover Internal Revenue Service, an official tax collection agency of the United States government, which is only fitting since the Fordham football team had had a very taxing season. From traveling over 2,300 miles for seven road games, to enduring numerous injuries, the season has been a trying one for the Rams. And the season finale would be no different as Merrimack scored 14 fourth quarter points to squeeze out a 27-26 win over Fordham at Duane Stadium.
 
With the loss, Fordham closes out the season with a 1-11 record while Merrimack improves to 4-8.
 
Defensively, grad student linebacker James Conway led the Rams with ten total tackles, nine solo, including two sacks.
 
Offensively, junior quarterback Gunnar Smith rushed for 86 yards and two scores and completed 17 of 31 passes fop 252 yards and another score with six of those passes going to freshman wide receiver Troy Worrell for 160 yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Yohan-Li Louis finished with 91 yards on 22 carries.
 
How it Happened
• Fordham got on the scoreboard first when Krystian Pothel blocked a punt on Merrimack's first possession for a safety and then taking a 5-0 lead on a Bennett Henderson 26-yard field goal with 8:44 remaining in the first quarter.
 
• Merrimack cut the Rams lead to 5-3, with 2:12 left in the first but Fordham responded with a one-yard Smith touchdown push on fourth and goal to make it 12-3 midway through the second quarter.
 
• The Warriors pulled within two, 12-10, when they blocked a punt and took it to the end zone for a score with 3:14 left in the half.
 
• Fordham responded with a quick four-play, 52-yard drive wit Smith covering the final 26 yards for the score and a 19-10 Fordham lead with 3:14 left in the half but Merrimack managed to connect on a field goal just before the break to make it a 19-13 game.
 
• The Rams struck first in the second half as Smith found a streaking Worrell for a 73-yard scoring strike to take a 26-13 lead with 5:36 left in the third.
 
• Merrimack scored on it own long pass in the fourth and then took advantage of an interception midway through the fourth to score on a short pass and take the lead for good, 27-26.
 
Notes
• The Fordham defense held Merrimack to 99 rushing yards, 91.5 yards below its season average.
 
• It was the fourth time this year the Rams held an opponent under 100 yards rushing.
 
• Unlike last year's meeting when the Rams were held to 31 total net yards, the Fordham offense was able to move the ball today, recording 424 yards of total offense.
 
• Fordham's safety was the first for the Rams since a safety at Lafayette in 2021.
 
• Fordham outgained Merrimack 424-266, including a 252-167 advantage through the air.
 
By the Numbers
4.1 – Yohan-Li Lewis' yards/carry average.
 
18 – Career field goals by Bennett Henderson, tying him for ninth on the school's all-time list.
 
182 – Career punts for grad student Will Haslett, seventh on the Fordham career list.
 
595 – Career tackles for James Conway, a school, Patriot League, and NCAA Division I record.
 
7,805 – Career punting yards for Will Haslett, fourth on the Fordham career list.
 
What's Next?
• The Rams are scheduled to open the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29, when they host Colgate University for a Patriot League game.
 
Portions of this story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.