Sept. 12, 2009
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist football team committed six turnovers as the Red Foxes fell in their first Pioneer Football League game in school history to Drake by a score of 34-6 on Saturday before 2,422 fans at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field. The Bulldogs (2-0 overall, 1-0 PFL) scored 31 unanswered points as the Red Foxes fell to 1-1 overall.
After a 27-yard field goal by Brandon Wubs gave Drake a 3-0 lead just 4:26 into the game, the Red Foxes took a 6-3 lead just 39 seconds into the second quarter on a seven-yard touchdown run by junior running back Greg Whipple (Camillus, N.Y.). The play capped a five-play, 51-yard drive. The extra point was missed.
Drake took the lead for good less than five minutes later on a 14-yard run by Tom Kostek, giving the Bulldogs a 10-6 lead. A 29-yard field goal by Wubs gave the Bulldogs a 13-6 lead at the half.
All three of Drake's touchdowns in the second half came off turnovers. A six-yard run by Patrick Oliver 4:50 into the third quarter put Drake up 20-7. A 10-yard scoring strike from Mike Piatkowski to Stephen Platek just 2:14 later gave the Bulldogs a 27-7 advantage. Drake closed out the scoring with 3:51 to play on a two-yard run by Spencer Cady.
Five of Drake's six scoring drives began in Marist territory. The Bulldogs' average starting position on their scoring drives was the Marist 32-yard line. The Red Foxes fumbled six times, losing four, and also threw two interceptions. Drake did not commit a turnover and also registered seven sacks and 13 tackles for losses while holding Marist to just 181 yards of total offense.
Senior linebacker Kevin Foley (Washingtonville, N.Y.) led Marist with 11 tackles and one sack, while fellow senior linebacker Nick Andre (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) had 10 tackles. Junior safety Kees Coughlin (New Rochelle, N.Y.) finished with seven tackles and a sack.
Senior quarterback Chris Debowski (Fountain Valley, Calif.) was 12-for-21 for 143 yards passing, and also led the Red Foxes with 35 yards rushing. Senior wide receiver James LaMacchia (Bronx, N.Y.) led Marist in receiving with 74 yards on six receptions.
For Drake, Piatkowski went 22-for-33 for 184 yards passing, and Platek hauled in 13 passes for 112 yards. Cale Hunt had a team-high 10 tackles, a sack and an interception.
Marist will return to action next Saturday for a PFL contest at San Diego. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EDT.
Notes: Marist's last win in a home opener came in 2006 against Sacred Heart. ... LaMacchia has 14 receptions in the Red Foxes' first two games this season. ... The Red Foxes are now 4-7 in home games since Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field was dedicated in 2007.
