Nov. 1, 2008
Marist-Fordham Game Notes 
THIS AFTERNOON'S TILT: After five consecutive home games, Marist (3-5) takes on Fordham (3-4) in the first of three consecutive road games to close out the season. The Red Foxes have not played a road game since Sept. 13 at Saint Francis (Pa.). Today's kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
ON THE AIR: This afternoon's game will air live on WKIP 1450 AM, with Ed Weir providing the play-by-play and Mike Ferraro handling the color analysis. The broadcast will also be available online at GoRedFoxes.com free of charge through Stretch Internet. The pregame show starts at 12:45 p.m. EDT.
LAST TIME OUT: The Red Foxes won their second straight by defeating Iona 28-7 on Oct. 25, rushing for 412 yards in the contest. Senior running back Obozua Ehikioya set the program's Division I career rushing record in the contest, and finished with 221 yards in the game. Sophomore safety Rory Foley picked off two passes.
WHO THEY'RE PLAYING: Marist's 2008 schedule includes four opponents from the Patriot League (Lafayette, Bucknell, Fordham, Georgetown), three Northeast Conference foes (St. Francis (Pa.), Wagner, Sacred Heart), two games against Pioneer League teams (San Diego, Davidson) and two contests against FCS independents (Bryant, Iona). Six of the Red Foxes' 11 contests are home at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field.
THIS YEAR'S CAPTAINS: The Red Foxes have five captains on this year's squad, all of whom are seniors: linebacker Obozua Ehikioya, fullback Ray Fiumefreddo and center Neil Walsh.
INSIDE THE SERIES: This is the sixth all-time meeting between the Fordham and Marist, with the Rams having won all five of the previous matchups.
RECORDS SHATTERED: Running back Obozua Ehikioya set the program record by scoring his 42nd career touchdown against Bucknell on Oct. 4. He also set the program's FCS record for career attempts on Oct. 4, and is 29 behind Don D'Aiuto for the school record. On Oct. 25 vs. Iona, Ehikioya moved into first place on Marist's Division I career rushing list. He is 515 yards behind D'Aiuto for first place in program history for rushing yards.
HOMESTAND: Last week, Marist concluded a stretch of five straight home games over a span of six weeks in September and October. The Red Foxes went 2-3 on the homestand. The streak of five straight home games tied a program record initially set in the 1987 campaign.
NOW, THE ROAD TRIP: The Red Foxes finish their season with the straight road games. After today, Marist will take on Georgetown (Dec. 8) and Davidson (Dec. 15).
NO TURNOVER DEFICIT: The Red Foxes have not had a negative turnover ratio in a game so far this season. The Red Foxes have nine turnovers in eight games while forcing 12.
AVOIDING THE BIG PLAYS: The Marist defense has allowed eight touchdowns of 25 yards or longer this season, but the Red Foxes have not allowed any in their last 21 quarters.
IMPROVING ON FOURTH DOWN: Marist is 8-for-21 on fourth-down coversions this year, and the Red Foxes are 8-for-11 on fourth down in three last three games.
BEST IN SIX YEARS: On Oct. 25 vs. Iona, the Red Foxes had two 100-yard rusher in Obozua Ehikioya (221) and Keith Mitchell (101). It was the first time Marist had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since Nov. 9, 2002, when Chris Price (199) and Alfredo Riullano (165) accomplished the feat. Marist's totals of 567 yards of offense and 412 rushing yards were its single-game highest totals since that Nov. 9, 2002 game at La Salle, when the Red Foxes finished with 509 yards rushing and 590 yards of offense.
BO KNOWS 200: Obozua Ehikioya has the fourth 200-yard rushing game of his career against Iona on Oct. 25. His previous three game against La Salle in 2004 (246), La Salle in 2005 (253) and Columbia in 2007 (212).
TWO PICKS: Sophomore safety Daniel Diaz had two at Iona on Nov. 11, 2007.
BACK-TO-BACK BY 20: Marist has won its last two games by over 20 points (27 vs. Bryant, Oct. 11; 21 vs. Iona, Oct. 25). The last time the Red Foxes won back-to-back games by at least 20 points occurred in the final two games of the 2002 season, when the Red Foxes defeated La Salle by 26 (49-23) and Siena by 20 (20-0).
DEBOWSKI'S DAY FOR THE RECORD BOOKS: Junior quarterback Chris Debowski tied the program record by throwing four touchdown passes against Bryant on Oct. 11. Debowski tied the record set by Pete Ford against Siena in 1995, and Kevin Chartrand against La Salle in 1999. Debowski's 321 yards passing in the game are the second-highest total in program history, trailing only Stephen McGrath's 396-yard effort at Sacred Heart in 2007.
80 YARDS, ONE SCORE, DONE QUICKLY: In back-to-back games, the Red Foxes scored an 80-yard touchdown on their first play from scrimmage. Obozua Ehikioya scored on an 80-yard run on Marist's first play against Bucknell on Oct. 4.
COVERING 10 YEARS: Chris Debowski 80-yard touchdown pass to James LaMacchia against Bryant on Oct. 11 was the third longest scoring connection in Marist's Division I history, and the Red Foxes' longest since 1998, when Bill Tramaglini found Joe Calabria for an 88-yard touchdown against St. John's in 1998. That play is Marist's longest touchdown pass in its Division I history.
LAMACCHIA'S BIG NIGHT: Junior wide receiver James LaMacchia had 154 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions against Bryant on Oct. 11. It was the first time a Red Fox had a 150-yard receiving game since Prince Prempeh finished with 171 against Sacred Heart in 2006. It was also LaMacchia's first two-touchdown game of his career.
ALSO WITH TWO SCORES ... : Freshman wide receiver R.J. Roe had the first two touchdown receptions of his career against Bryant on Oct. 11, scoring on two grabs in the fourth quarter of the contest.
LAMACCHIA MAKES LEAP: Junior James LaMacchia, who entered this season with four career catches for 31 yards, is Marist's leading receiver with 21 receptions and 252 receiving yards. He has been on the receiving end of both of Marist's two passing touchdowns this season.
300: The Bryant game marked Marist's 300th as a varsity program. The Red Foxes have a varsity record of 136-161-3. Marist play-by-play broadcaster Ed Weir, who has called every Marist varsity game, conduct the coin toss prior to the Bryant game.
LONG PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE: Obozua Ehikioya 80-yard touchdown run against Bucknell on Oct. 4 was Marist's longest play from scrimmage since Alfredo Riullano school record 96-yard run at Saint Peter's on Sept. 7, 2000.
NEC TOUR: Marist completed a string of three consecutive games against teams from the Northeast Conference. Marist defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 13, fell to Wagner on Sept. 19 and lost to Sacred Heart on Sept. 27.
BLOCK THAT KICK: Freshman wide receiver Michael Rios blocked a kick in three straight games, blocking a punt vs. Lafayette (Sept. 6), an extra point which was returned for two at Saint Francis (Pa.) (Sept. 13) and a field goal against Wagner (Sept. 19).
FIRST FRIDAY: The Sept. 19 game against Wagner marked the first Friday night home game in Marist's Division I history. The Red Foxes' last Friday night home game was an Oct. 2, 1987 contest against FDU-Madison which Marist lost 10-0.
LET THERE BE FIREWORKS: Following Marist's Sept. 19 game against Wagner, there was a fireworks display. It was the first time in program history the Red Foxes had fireworks following a home football game.
LAST MINUTE SCORE: In Wagner's 21-14 victory over the Red Foxes on Sept. 19, the Seahawks' Rodney Davis scored the winning touchdown on a five-yard run with six second remaining. It marked the first time Marist gave up a game-winning score in the final minute of play since Oct. 4, 1997 in a 27-24 loss to Duquesne. The Dukes scored the winning touchdown with seven seconds remaining in that contest.
0-3 AVOIDED: With its win at Saint Francis (Pa.) last week, Marist avoided an 0-3 start. Under Jim Parady, Marist has only started 0-3 twice (2007, 2001). The Red Foxes have had just five 0-3 starts in program history, as Marist also lost its first three games in 1978, 1979 and 1987.
MAJOR COMEBACK: By erasing a 13-point deficit to win at Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 13, the Red Foxes won despite entering the fourth quarter trailing by at least 10 points for the first time since a Nov. 11, 2000 win at La Salle. The Red Foxes won 13-12 despite trailing 12-0 entering the final period.
DEBOWSKI'S FIRST TD PASS: Quarterback Chris Debowski threw his first touchdown pass as a Red Fox on Sept. 13 at Saint Francis (Pa.). Debowski accounted for 233 yards of offense (154 passing, 79 rushing) against the Red Flash.
THREE AND OUT TIMES THREE: Against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 13, the Marist defense forced a three-and-out on all three of the Red Flash's fourth-quarter drives.
LEADING TACKLERS: Three Red Foxes (sophomore linebacker John Van Aman, junior safety Nic Zivic and junior linebacker Kurt Steubing) tied for the team lead with 12 tackles apiece against Lafayette on Sept. 6. Four Red Foxes had at least 10 tackles in the game, as junior linebacker Kevin Foley also registered 11.
NO FLAGS: In its loss to Lafayette on Sept. 6, Marist went the entire game penalty-free. The last time the Red Foxes had gone a whole game without penalty prior to that was on Oct. 24, 1998 at Wagner. Marist played 97 games in that time.
PAULY'S STRONG DAY PUNTING: Sophomore Kevin Pauly punted for the first time in his career against Lafayette on Sept. 6, and made the most of it. In rainy, windy conditions, Pauly averaged 47.8 yards on his five punts. He had a long of 55 and one attempt downed inside the 20.
EARLY OPENER: Marist's opener at San Diego on Aug. 29 marked the first time Marist has played a game in August in its 31 years as a varsity program. Prior to this season, the earliest date Marist had started a season in its varsity history was Sept. 1 (1990 and 2007).
STREAK STANDS AT SIX: Marist has now lost its last five season openers. The last time the Red Foxes won in their opening game came in 2002, a 38-27 home triumph over Sacred Heart.
WHAT'S BACK?: The Red Foxes return 13 starters and 67 letterwinners from last season's team.
BACKS ARE BACK: With running backs Ray Fiumefreddo, Greg Whipple and Bob Abbatiello also returning, the Red Foxes are bringing back players who accounted for 73.4% of their rushing yards last season.
WHO'S UNDER CENTER? None of the five quarterbacks listed on the Marist roster had taken a snap in a game for the Red Foxes entering this season. Sophomore Chris Debowski, a transfer from Orange Coast College, and true freshmen Michael Gentile and Tommy Reilly.
NEW LOOK AT WIDE RECEIVER: Marist lost its first- and third-leading receivers in terms of catches in yards with the departures of Tim Keegan and Daniel Dulac. Keegan and Dulac also combined to haul in 11 of Marist's 12 touchdown passes last season.
SAME NAMES UP FRONT ... : The Red Foxes return four starting offensive linemen (Jake Dembow) from last year's team. Marist's only loss on the offensive line was left tackle Dan Cooper, who was named a Second Team Football Championship Subdivision Mid-Major All-American last season.
... BUT DIFFERENT PLACES: Even though Marist is returning four starters on the offensive line, some positions have shifted up front. Jake Dembow, who slides over from right tackle. Neil Walsh remain in their same positions from last season.
RELIABILITY: Left guard Jake Dembow have started every game of their careers. Both are seniors.
SOMETHING FAMILIAR, SOMETHING NEW: Of the Red Foxes' four tight ends, two (Robert Spano, Chris Ortner) are returning to the position, and two (Jack Scanlon, Kiely Nagle) have converted from other positions. Scanlon switched from quarterback this past spring, and Nagle came over from the offensive line in camp. Spano led all Marist tight ends with 15 receptions for 177 yards last season.
CHANGES ON THE D-LINE: The Marist defensive line also features several players who have converted from other positions. Nose tackles Ray Fiumefreddo have seen action on both offense and defense this season.
BIG LOSS, BUT BIG RETURN: Although the Red Foxes lost last season's leading tackler, Nick Andre. Last year, Andre did not play in the season's last nine game due to injury. He was a Second Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League selection in 2006, and is a captain on this year's squad.
HONORS IN THE SECONDARY: Three of Marist's four projected starters in the secondary at the outset of the season (cornerback Paul Rabito, cornerback Kwame Carlor and strong safety Rory Foley) have received All-MAAC honors in their careers. Foley was named MAAC Co-Defensive Rookie of the Year last season.
NEW KICKERS: Marist has lost kicker Chris Collins and kicker/punter Bradley Rowe off last year's team. Sophomore Kevin Pauly has handled the placekicking duties all season, and has been the team's punter since the second game of the season. Freshman Jonathon Korn has also handled kickoff duties at times this season
FAMILIAR FACES RETURN TO STAFF: The Red Foxes have two additions to this year's coaching staff, both of whom have previously worked for the Red Foxes. Running back coach Donald Clark is back after having previously coached Marist's running backs from 2004-05. Pete Mahoney, the program's Director of Football Operations in the 2006 season, is assuming the same role again this season while adding the responsibility of coaching the team's tight ends.
NEW HOME: The Red Foxes will be playing their second season at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field this year. The stadium was dedicated prior to last year's home opener against Duquesne on Homecoming Weekend. Marist was 2-2 at home last year.
NEW LOOK: On June 19, the Marist Department of Athletics unveiled a new family of logos in a press conference at the McCann Center. The purpose of the project was to build a stronger brand while achieving more consistency within the department's athletic logos. The changes have resulted in a new look for the Red Foxes on the field, as Marist will be sporting white helmets this season.
HEADING TO THE PIONEER LEAGUE: On Feb. 28, Marist held a press conference at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field to announce that the football team will be joining the Pioneer Football League, effective for the 2009 season. Marist will become the 10th school in the league, joining Butler, Campbell, Davidson, Dayton, Drake, Jacksonville, Morehead State, San Diego and Valparaiso. Marist's 2009 season is bookended by PFL teams, with the team's season finale being at Davidson.
