RV Yale vs. Merrimack
Saturday, Oct. 3 – 12 p.m.
Yale Bowl, Class of 1954 Field (New Haven, Conn.)
ESPN+ | Live Stats | Yale Game Notes | Merrimack Game Notes

Following its first loss of the season, Team 153 will look to bounce back this weekend against the Merrimack Warriors in the 2026 home opener at the Yale Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on the Class of 1954 Field. 

Bulldog Notes

• Following the team's 25-38 loss to Cornell, Yale dropped out of the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, receiving votes in both. 
• Charles Hewitt's 244 passing yards against Cornell were the most by a Yale quarterback in their first career start since Nolan Grooms threw for 283 yards against Penn on Oct. 23, 2021.
• Yale currently boasts the Ivy League's top scoring offense, scoring 31.5 points per game, two games into the season.
• Defensive end Jevidi Hutton is currently tied for the Ivy League lead in sacks with two.
• This game against Merrimack will be Yale's first against an FCS /DI-AA Independent since facing off against UCF in Orlando on Oct. 2, 1993.
• Hewitt's 31 net rushing yards were also the most gained by a Yale quarterback since Grant Jordan picked up 73 yards on the ground against Harvard to end the 2024 season. 
• Tight end Graham Smith was named to the Week Two Ivy League Honor Roll. 

The Series

• Yale is playing Merrimack for the first time in history. This will be one of two matchups this season (Oct. 17 vs Rhode Island) where the Bulldogs play a team for the first time.

Scouting Merrimack

• The Warriors are one of two independent teams in the FCS, the other being first-year program Chicago State. They have started the season 2-3, with wins over Maine 23-14 and New Haven 17-10. 
• The Merrimack offense is led by sophomore transfer quarterback AJ Hairston, who currently leads the team in both passing yards with 592 to go along with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior running back Matthias Latham leads the team in rushing with 358 net yards and two touchdowns. The Warriors have the No. 112 scoring offense in the country, scoring 14.8 points per game.
• The Warrior defense is anchored by redshirt senior defensive back Danny Simms with 27 total tackles and graduate student linebacker Micah Green with 25. Green had 11 total tackles against the Bulldogs in 2024 during his senior season at Dartmouth. Merrimack has the No. 57 scoring defense in the country, allowing 29.0 points per game.

Cahill's Corner
"We're looking forward to being home and playing in the Yale Bowl," said Kevin Cahill, Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Football. "Merrimack is a very talented team that has played some of the top tier opponents this season. This will be a tremendous challenge for us."

Up Next
The Bulldogs will continue their three-game home stand with a game against the Dartmouth Big Green on Saturday, Oct. 10 at noon. The matchup will be broadcasted nationally on ESPNU.