Aug. 1, 2006

EDISON, N.J. - Marist running back Obozua Ehikioya (West Hempstead, N.Y.) was named MAAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Tuesday in a poll of the league's head coaches. The Red Foxes were also picked to finish second in the league once again with 16 points, just eight behind first-place Duquesne with 24. Iona was picked third with 15 points, followed by La Salle (13) and Saint Peter's (7).

The honors continue to pour in for Ehikioya, who was named a preseason I-AA Mid-Major All-American by The Sports Network and Don Hansen's Football Gazette last month. Ehikioya, also a Mid-Major All-America honoree by The Sports Network and Don Hansen in 2005, finished the season with 17 touchdowns and 1,017 yards rushing on his way to claiming All-MAAC honors. Only the late J.J. Allen scored more touchdowns in a season for Marist (21, 1998). He also became just the fourth Marist back in the school's I-AA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Marist will kick off its 2006 campaign with a Sept. 2 road date with Central Connecticut State at 5 p.m.