Sept. 27, 2008
Box Score
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist senior running back Obozua Ehikioya (West Hempstead, N.Y.) scored his 41st career touchdown on Saturday against Sacred Heart, but the Red Foxes suffered a 28-16 loss at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field. Ehikioya's fourth-quarter score tied him with the late J.J. Allen for first place on Marist's all-time list.
Ehikioya's one-yard run in the fourth quarter brought the Red Foxes to within 21-16 in the fourth quarter with 8:56 remaining. However, Sacred Heart answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive which culminated in a 10-yard scoring pass from Dale Fink to Tony Patterson that put the Pioneers up 28-16.
Ehikioya led Marist with 61 rushing yards on 16 carries. Marist junior quarterback Chris Debowski (Fountain Valley, Calif.) was 13-for-28 for 170 yards to go along with a touchdown and an interception. Junior wide receiver James LaMacchia (Bronx, N.Y.) led Marist in receiving with five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
After a scoreless first quarter, Debowski found LaMacchia for a four-yard scoring strike just 42 seconds into the second to put Marist up 6-0. However, Sacred Heart answered with a pair of touchdown passes from Dale Fink to put the Pioneers up 14-6 with 6:21 left in the second. Marist answered with an eight-play, 46-yard drive which ended with a 36-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Kevin Pauly (Rochester, N.Y.) which cut the Red Foxes' deficit to 14-9. Sacred Heart then went on a six-play, 71-yard drive which took just 1:15 and ended with a five-yard scoring run by Evin Jones, as the Pioneers took a 21-9 halftime lead.
Marist received the second-half kickoff, and advanced to the Sacred Heart four. However, three straight incomplete passes meant the Red Foxes were unable to come away with any points on a 13-play, 76-yard drive. On their next drive, the Red Foxes had a fourth-and-one from the Sacred Heart five, but were unable to convert as a 10-play, 64-yard drive also ended with no points.
After Sacred Heart went three-and-out and its ensuing drive, Marist answered with Ehikioya's score, cutting the Pioneers' lead to five. Fink's touchdown pass on the ensuing drive was his third of the day.
Sophomore safety Kevin Foley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) had eight tackles apiece to lead the Red Foxes. Senior linebacker Nick Andre (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) intercepted his second pass of the season.
For Sacred Heart (4-0), Fink finished 24-for-31 for 281 yards. His favorite target was Steve Tedesco, who caught seven passes for 113 yards and a score. Jones led Sacred Heart in rushing with 99 yards on 17 carries. Bill O'Brien led the Pioneers with 11 tackles.
Marist (1-4) will play the third of its five consecutive home games next Saturday, when the Red Foxes take on Bucknell of the Patriot League. The game will be part of Homecoming Weekend at Marist, and kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
