Oct. 25, 2008

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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Senior running back Obozua Ehikioya (West Hempstead, N.Y.) set Marist's Division I record for career rushing yards on Saturday, as he ran for 221 on 23 carries in a 28-7 victory over Iona. As a team, the Red Foxes gained 412 rushing yards on 52 attempts as they won their second straight.

Iona scored its lone touchdown on its opening drive, as Joe Muraglia capped a six-play, 61-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run just 1:58 into the contest. However, the Red Foxes kept the Gaels off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Marist tied the game at seven apiece on a 10-yard touchdown run by senior running back Keith Mitchell (Syracuse, N.Y.) with 6:38 left in the first quarter. Mitchell ran for 101 yards on nine carries.

After forcing a three-and-out on Iona's next drive, the Red Foxes got the ball at their own 20. On the first play of the drive, Ehikioya scampered for 50 yards to the Iona 30. Five plays, later, Ehikioya scored on a three-yard run as Marist took a lead it would not relinquish.

Iona missed a field goal on its next drive, giving the Red Foxes the ball at their own 34. On Marist's first play of the drive, Ehikioya ran for 24 yards on the final play of the first quarter. On the opening play of the second period, Mitchell gained 29 yards. Four plays later, with Marist facing a fourth-and-goal from the Iona four, freshman Ryan Dinnebeil (River Vale, N.J.) ran for a touchdown. The ensuing extra point from sophomore kicker Kevin Pauly (Rochester, N.Y.) gave Marist a 21-7 advantage.

The Red Foxes took a 21-7 lead into the locker room. On their second drive of the third quarter, Dinnebeil capped an eight-play, 74-yard drive with a two-yard scoring run to close out the scoring. Marist held the ball for 19:26 of the second half.

The Marist defense picked off a season-high three passes, all coming in the second half. After Dinnebeil's second touchdown, the Gaels drove to the Marist 21, but Warren Smith's pass was picked off in the end zone by sophomore safety Christian Dunnigan (Rock Tavern, N.Y.).

Senior linebacker Nick Andre (Rockville Center, N.Y.) led Marist with nine tackles. Junior linebackers Kurt Steubing (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Kevin Foley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) added seven apiece.

Junior quarterback Chris Debowski (Fountain Valley, Calif.) was 11-for-18 for 161 yards and one interception. His top target was junior wide receiver James LaMacchia (Bronx, N.Y.), who hauled in five passes for 69 yards. On the day, Marist outgained Iona 573-289.

Marist and Iona now both stand at 3-5. This game marked Marist's home finale, as the Red Foxes will play their final three contests on the road. Marist will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Red Foxes take on Fordham at 1 p.m.

Notes: Marist's Division I rushing record was previously held by Jovan Rhodes, who ran for 3,156 yards from 1994-97. ... Ehikioya now has 3,217 rushing yards in his career. The all-time Marist record for rushing yards is 3,731, held by Don D'Aiuto. D'Aiuto played from 1990-93 at Marist - the program's last three seasons as a Division III team, and its first in Division I. ... This was the 28th meeting between Marist and Iona. The Red Foxes' victory tied the series at 14 apiece. Marist has played Iona more than any other team in its history. ... Prior to the game, Marist honored 17 seniors as part of its Senior Day ceremony. The 17 honored were offensive linemen Jake Dembow (Merrimack, N.H.), Neil Walsh (Wantagh, N.Y.), Danny Angelastro (Rego Park, N.Y.), Jason Tillery (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Warren Patafio (Chester, N.Y.) and Alan Ramirez (Westbury, N.Y.); defensive linemen Aubrey Holmes (Foxboro, Mass.), OG Igbinosun (Rahway, N.J.), Josh Peterson (Nichols, N.Y.) and Brock Flynn (Lakewood, Pa.); running backs Ehikioya, Mitchell and Ray Fiumefreddo (Wayne, N.J.); tight ends Jack Scanlon (Owego, N.Y.) and Kiely Nagle (Florence, Mass.); student assistant coach Nate Fields and manager Haley Hart.