Oct. 7, 2006
Final Stats
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-The Marist football squad ran for six touchdowns on its way to a 41-13 drubbing of La Salle Saturday at McCarthy Stadium. The Red Foxes improved to 2-4 overall with the win, while the Explorers dropped to 1-4.
The Red Foxes got on the board first, grinding out all 80 yards of their opening drive on the ground. Marist capped the drive with an 11-yard run up the middle by sophomore running back Keith Mitchell (Syracuse, N.Y.). The score was the first of Mitchell's career and the first all season for the Red Foxes in the first quarter.
After stalling a La Salle drive at the its own 32, Marist marched down the field again on the ground, this time finishing it off with a 10-yard touchdown dive by senior running back Frankie Farrington (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) to make the score 14-0. The score was Farrington's first rushing touchdown of his career.
The Explorers bounced right back, however, taking advantage of a Marist personal foul on the kickoff to but them in business at their own 44-yard line to start the drive. La Salle then cut the margin in half on a 32-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Joe Procopio to junior tight end Geoffrey Nagle with 5:38 to go in the second quarter.
Mitchell notched his second touchdown of the game on a four-yard plunge with 2:04 to go in the half, following a botched onside kick by La Salle, allowing Marist to start at the Explorers' 45-yard line. Marist had difficulty with the snap on the point after attempt and a conversion pass failed, making the score 20-7 Red Foxes.
That would not be the final score of the half, however, as La Salle raced 70 yards in 1:25 near the end of the half and pulled within seven on a 3-yard scamper by Procopio. Sophomore placekicker Anthony Perlozzo hooked the extra point attempt wide left.
The Red Foxes struck right back in the early going of the second half on a 66-yard touchdown run by junior running back Adam Hansen (Monroe Township, N.J.). The touchdown was Hansen's first career score as well.
Hansen continued to pour it on with a second rushing touchdown on the next possession, this one a 15-yard carry through the Explorer secondary with 8:02 to go in the third stanza to make the score 34-13 Marist.
Mitchell's third touchdown run came with 5:13 to play on a 42-yard run down the right sideline as he shook off numerous tackles to trot in with the Red Foxes' sixth touchdown of the day. Marist took advantage of a botched fake punt attempt by La Salle sophomore linebacker Casey Walsh to put the Red Foxes in business at the Explorers' 46-yard line.
Hansen finished with 154 yards on 11 carries, while Mitchell had 94 yards on eight carries. La Salle's Procopio had 37 yards on 16 rushes.
Marist junior quarterback Stephen McGrath (Manasquan, N.J.) threw only four times, but completed three for 86 yards. Procopio went 16-for-29 for 194 yards and a touchdown.
Marist senior wideout Prince Prempeh (Hamilton, N.J.) caught two long bombs down the sideline for 89 yards. The Explorers' Lou Russo caught 11 passes for 89 yards. Defensively, Marist sophomore linebacker Nick Andre (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) had 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss for the Red Foxes, while senior defensive back Mark Moraca had five tackles.
The Red Foxes will be back in action Saturday, October 14 at Patriot League power Fordham. The Rams lost to Duquesne 20-17 Saturday.
