DOVER, Del. (AP) Receiver Jacari Carter uncorked a 54-yard touchdown pass to Jelani Mason to stake Merrimack to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and the Warriors ground out 173 yards rushing to earn a 26-13 win over Delaware State in a non-conference battle Saturday.

Merrimack (2-2) held the Hornets to just 32 yards on the ground and 164 yards of total offense.

Victor Dawson ran for eight yards on fourth down at the Delaware State 18 in the first quarter, giving Merrimack a first-and-goal then carried twice to score the game's first touchdown, bulling in from the 2 with 4:16 left to give Merrimack a lead it never surrendered. After the Warriors defense held the Hornets to a three-and-out, Carter took the handoff in the backfield, then launched the deep pass to Mason to make it 14-0.

Six running backs shared 40 carries in the Merrimack running game, with Dawson, E'Lijah Gray and Tyvon Edmonds Jr. combining for 35 rushes.

C.J. Henry was just 7-of-19 passing for 132 yards to lead Delaware State (2-2).

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