Sept. 3, 2011
Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Head Coach Jim Parady won his 100th career game as the Marist football team defeated Sacred Heart 20-7 in its season opener on Saturday. Sophomore quarterback Chuckie Looney (Ocala, Fla.) threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start as Marist erased a 7-0 halftime deficit.
Two of Looney's touchdowns went senior wide receiver Michael Rios (Miami, Fla.), who caught three passes for 122 yards. Senior wide receiver Kevin Fitzpatrick (Columbia, Md.) had career-highs in receptions with eight and receiving yards with 119.
In addition to holding Sacred Heart to just seven points, the Marist defense registered four sacks, seven tackles for losses, eight pass break-ups, one interception and one fumble recovery. Junior safety Nick Mainiero (Croton, N.Y.) had a team-high seven tackles, two of which were for losses, to go along with a sack, a fumble recovery and two pass break-ups. Senior cornerback Jaquan Bryant (St. Albans, N.Y.) had a team-high five solo tackles, three pass break-ups and an interception. Junior defensive end Terrence Fede (Nyack, N.Y.) had two sacks, and junior safety Tyler Ramsey (Southbridge, Mass.) had two tackles for losses and a forced fumble.
A five-yard touchdown run by Sacred Heart's Tim Little with 8:02 left in the first half and Chris Rogers' subsequent point after gave the Pioneers a 7-0 lead they would hold into the third quarter. On the second play of the second half, a 25-yard Looney-to-Fitzpatrick completion put the ball at the Sacred Heart 43. On the next play, Looney threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rios. The point after by junior kicker Jason Myers (Chula Vista, Calif.) tied the score at seven apiece just 1:15 into the third quarter.
With 11:20 left in the fourth quarter, Marist took the lead for good. On a third-and-eight play from the Sacred Heart 10, Looney rolled out of trouble and found junior tight end Anthony Calcagni (Thornwood, N.Y.) in the end zone. The touchdown capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive.
The Red Foxes put the game away when Looney found Rios for a 47-yard touchdown pass with 4:44 to play.
Marist (1-0) will return to action next Saturday with a non-league contest at Bucknell (1-0). The Bison defeated Duquesne 27-26 in their opener on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Notes: Marist outgained Sacred Heart 242-92 in the second half. ... Rios now has seven career touchdowns. Six have come from at least 40 yards out. ... Bryant has eight career interceptions. Three have come at Sacred Heart. ... The road team has won the last four games in the Marist-Sacred Heart series, which is now tied at five apiece all-time. The teams have met each of the last 10 seasons. ... Marist was 8-for-16 on third-down conversions.
