Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Marist football team suffered a 40-22 loss in its season opner to San Diego on Friday at Torero Stadium. Senior running back Obozua Ehikioya (West Hempstead, N.Y.) scored two touchdowns and ran for 70 yards for the Red Foxes.

Junior wide receiver James LaMacchia (Bronx, N.Y.) had six receptions for 86 yards. Senior linebacker Nick Andre (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) led the way defensive with 12 tackles, including three-and-a-half for losses.

After San Diego scored first to take a 7-0 lead, Ehikioya answered with a two-yard run which capped an 11-play, 60-yard drive and cut the Toreros' lead to 7-6. The extra point was missed, but the Red Foxes took a 9-7 lead on a 35-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Kevin Pauly (Rochester, N.Y.) with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.

San Diego scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 20-9 lead, and added another score to take a 27-9 lead after three quarters. Marist cut the deficit to 27-16 on a 16-yard run by Ehikioya on the first play of the fourth quarter. After two more San Diego touchdowns, Marist closed out the scoring on a four-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Greg Whipple (Camillus, N.Y.). It was the first touchdown of Whipple's collegiate career.

San Diego outgained Marist in total yards by a 374-313 margin. Seb Trujillo completed 16 of 23 passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns for the Toreros. Wide receiver John Matthews caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, and Phil Morelli led the Toreros with 64 yards rushing. Loka Kanongataa led San Diego with 13 tackles.

Sophomore safety OG Igbinosun (Rahway, N.J.) each had an interception for the Red Foxes.

Marist will play its home opener at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field on Saturday, Sept. 6 when the Red Foxes host Lafayette, which will be opening its season. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.