Cade Harris' two short TD runs power Air Force to 21-6 victory over Merrimack in opener

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — Cade Harris had two short touchdown runs in the first half and Air Force had no problem dispatching FCS-member Merrimack with a 21-6 victory in a season opener for both teams on Saturday.

Harris scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and a 4-yard run with 16 seconds left before halftime to stake Air Force to a 14-0 lead. Merrimack went 0 for 5 on third-down conversions and managed just three first downs before intermission.

The Falcons final score came midway through the fourth quarter after Merrimack turned the ball over deep in its own territory.

Luke Fischer recovered a fumble by Warriors receiver Jermaine Corbett and returned it five yards, giving Air Force the ball on the 14-yard line. The Falcons rushed six straight times with Aiden Calvert scoring from a yard out with 8:31 left to play.

Merrimack avoided a shutout on the final play of the game when backup quarterback Ayden Pereira connected with Jalen McDonald for an 11-yard touchdown.

Air Force had only 20 more yards of offense than the Warriors — 237-217.

The Falcons' last shutout came in a 28-0 victory over New Mexico in November of 2020.

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The Associated Press