BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Another career-day from running back Jonathan DeBique propelled the Long Island University football team past Merrimack College, 31-20 at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium in the team's regular-season finale on Sunday, March 28.
 
DeBique compiled a career-high 154 yards on 20 carries. It was his second-consecutive single-game career high after eclipsing the century mark at Duquesne University last week. DeBique also found the back of the end zone once and broke free for a 58-yard scamper, the longest offensive play of the day for either team. Domonhic Jennings rushed for one touchdown as well, the first of his collegiate career.
 
Quarterback Conor Regan netted 163 yards through the air and two touchdowns. Derick Eugene and Damien Caffrey hauled in the two touchdown grabs, while Steven Chambers posted 74 receiving yards on three receptions.
 
The LIU defense was stout once again at home, registering four interceptions, blocking an extra point and a field goal attempt. Bryce Campbell, Ricco Aaron, Jr., Matt Nieves, and Joseph Dagbe all intercepted passes on the day, while Larry Elder tallied a team-best 11 tackles and three pass breakups.
 
The Warriors jumped on the board first, scoring just under five minutes into the contest but could not convert the extra point. LIU responded on its following possession, traveling 82 yards on 15 plays when DeBique scrambled in from one yard out to give LIU a 7-6 advantage. Late in the quarter, the Sharks marched 85 yards and Jennings plunged into the end zone from two yards out to give LIU an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Following an Aaron interception, DeBique broke free for a 58-yard rush to set up first-and-goal from the two-yard line and Regan hooked up with Caffrey in the back of the end zone two plays later to make it a 21-6 game. Merrimack found the end zone once again midway through the stanza, but Bryce Campbell blocked the extra-point attempt to keep it a two-possession game.
 
The Sharks extended their lead one more time before the end of the half when Paul Inzerillo drilled a 43-yard field goal to give LIU a 24-12 lead at the break.
 
After a few empty possessions, Merrimack looked to pull within nine-points with a 34-yard field goal attempt, but Tariq Snead blocked the attempt and Larry Elder returned the block 84 yards to set up an 11-yard touchdown strike from Regan to Eugene to put the game out of reach for good.
 
The Sharks close out the regular season with a 2-2 record and currently sit in a tie for third place in the Northeast Conference standings.