MOREHEAD, Kentucky – The Marist football team earned its fourth straight Pioneer Football League (PFL) victory 48-21 at Morehead State on Saturday afternoon. The Red Foxes boasted a pair of 100-yard rushers for the first time since in exactly six years, paced by a career high 170 yards and three scores from sophomore Mekhai Johnson. Red-shirt sophomore Darryn Jordan chipped in 101 yards on 15 carries.

Game Summary

·        After Morehead State scored on its first possession, Marist scored 28 unanswered points to take a three-touchdown lead at the intermission.

·        Sophomore Mekhai Johnson scored his first three career rushing touchdowns. His first was a one-yard plunge with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter. His second score was an 81-yard dash in the third quarter to give Marist its largest lead of the day.The third closed out the scoring, and came from 19 yards out with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter.

·        Red-shirt sophomore John Pierce blocked a punt and made the recovery in the end zone to give the Red Foxes their first lead, a 14-7 advantage with 2:31 to play in the opening period.

·        Red-shirt freshman quarterback Austin Day accounted for Marist's other three touchdowns. Day had a three-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He then had passing touchdowns to senior wide receiver Juston Christian (later in the second quarter), and red-shirt junior tight end Jon Kanda (in the third period).

Key Stats

·        Christian caught a 22-yard pass to open the second quarter. With that reception he became the PFL's all-time leader in receiving yards. He passed Valparaiso's Rob Giancola.

·        The Marist defense forced four three-and-outs in the first half, and fifth-year senior linebacker Willie Barrett picked off a pass to halt the only sustained Morehead State drive of the second quarter.

·        Johnson took one of his 17 carries 81 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Marist a 41-14 lead. His 170 yards and three touchdowns are career highs. Entering today's game Johnson had a total of 120 yards on the season.

·        Marist outgained Morehead State in total yards, 425-284.

·        Red-shirt sophomore cornerback Ryan Webb and red-shirt sophomore safety Justice Seales led the Marist defense with five tackles apiece.

·        Eldee Edwards III had a game-high 11 tackles for Morehead State.

·        Morehead State quarterback Lawson Page completed 16 of 27 passes for 216 yards and an interception. Page scored a rushing touchdown and led the Eagles with 29 yards on the ground.

·        Marist outgained Morehead State in total yards, 425-284.

Notes

·        The last time Marist had two 100-yard rushers in a game, the feat was accomplished by Max Jacques (128 yards) and Wale Onakoya (101) in a 44-7 victory at Valparaiso on Oct. 27, 2012.

·        Marist is now 4-2 all-time against Morehead State, including a 3-0 record in road games.

·        Kanda has now scored a touchdown in three straight games.

·        Christian became the third player in program history to score 10 receiving touchdowns in a season, joining Michael Rios (10 in 2012) and Armani Martin (program-record 12 in 2013).

·        Marist set season bests in first downs (23), rushing yards (281), third-down conversion percentage (64%, 7-for-11), and time of possession (35:20) while tying a season high in points scored.

·        This is the first time Marist has scored 40 points in back-to-back games since 2013, when the Red Foxes totaled 42 against Jacksonville on Nov. 2, and followed it up with 55 at Campbell on Nov. 9.

·        This is Marist's largest margin of victory since a 49-14 triumph over Stetson on Nov. 7, 2015. That was also the last time the Red Foxes scored more than 48 points in a game.

Quote of the Day

"We played 60 minutes of good football," head coach Jim Parady said. "It's the first time all year we played 60 minutes all together."

Records

Marist improved to 4-4 overall and 4-1 in the PFL. The Red Foxes are one of three one-loss teams in league play, along with Drake and Stetson, who trail undefeated San Diego. Morehead State is now 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the PFL.
 

Up Next

Marist returns home to Tenney Stadium seeking its fifth consecutive PFL victory, when it hosts Valparaiso on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for noon. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.