DeLand, FLORIDA – Marist football picked up its first victory of the season, 40-31, as the Red Foxes downed the Stetson Hatters Saturday afternoon inside Spec Martin Stadium. The win was the first at the helm for first-year head coach
Mike Willis.
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- The Red Foxes defense started the game firing on all cylinders. On Stetson's opening drive, James Kratochvil intercepted a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage. Marist capitalized on the favorable field position, marching downfield and punching it in from five yards with a run from Sonny Mannino to take an early 7-0 lead.
- Another interception by Kratochvil, this time forced by a hit from Miles Kauderer, gave the ball right back to the Red Foxes on the Hatters' ensuing possession. Tristan Shannon broke loose for two gashing runs of 18 and 23 yards, respectively, setting the stage for his two-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 13-0.Â
- Stetson responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Brady Meitz to Jacque Holley, cutting the deficit to 13-7.
- The Hatters took their first lead of the game with 12:11 remaining in the second quarter on a nine-yard Anthony Benzija run, making it 14-13.Â
- After a series of back-and-forth possessions, Stetson struck again, this time with a five-yard touchdown pass from Meitz to Dalton Bailey in the back of the endzone, putting them ahead 20-13 with 5:32 left in the half.
- After a 56-yard punt from Ethan Yuska pinned Stetson on the one-yard line, the Red Foxes forced a three-and-out leading to a punt from the Hatters own endzone. The punt was returned for a 41-yard touchdown by Mohamed Diawara to pull Marist within two, 21-19.
- The Red Foxes regained the lead, 26-21, after Mannino rushed for a 30-yard touchdown with 7:23 remaining in the third. Stetson quickly responded with a long kickoff return put the Hatters down in the redzone. A 10-yard rush from Jaxson Dicus put Stetson back on top 28-26.
- After an eight play, 69-yard drive from the Red Foxes, Mannino punched in his third rushing touchdown of the game from the six-yard line to give Marist a 33-28 lead with 3:27 to go in the third.
- Two key interceptions in the fourth quarter by Nate Robinson Jr. and Austin Trimble halted Stetson drives, allowing for a 23-yard rushing touchdown by Mannino, his fourth of the game, to seal the 40-31 victory for the Red Foxes.
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- Kratochvil has recorded interceptions in back-to-back contests. He extends his team lead in interceptions and now has four on the season.
- Mannino's four rushing touchdowns on the afternoon tied the program record (5th time in program history).
- Marist now leads the all-time series against Stetson, 9-2. This is the Red Foxes' fifth straight win over the Hatters
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- Marist is 1-9 overall and 1-6 in the PFL.
- Stetson is 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the PFL.
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- Marist will return home for its final game of the season and celebrate Senior Day as the Red Foxes play host to Pioneer Football League foe Presbyterian.
- Kickoff is set for noon.
