THE MATCH-UP: The Marist football team (4-6
overall, 3-4 Pioneer Football League) closes out the 2011 season at San Diego
(7-2, 5-1) in a Pioneer Football League contest. Kickoff at Torero Stadium is
set for 4 p.m. EST.
HOW TO FOLLOW US: Ed Weir (play-by-play) and Mike
Ferraro (color) will provide the call on WKIP 1450 AM in Poughkeepsie,
which will also have a live and free audio stream on GoRedFoxes.com. The
pregame show will begin at 3:45 p.m. EST. Check for live game updates on
Twitter (@MaristAthletics).
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO: San Diego enters today's game
undefeated at home (3-0) this season. Kenny James leads the PFL in rushing with
1009 yards and is second with 12 touchdowns, and Sam Hoekstra is third in the
league with 51 receptions. Blake Oliaro leads the PFL with 12.5 sacks, while
Mario Kurn has contributed eight.
IT ENDS WHERE IT STARTED: For five members of this
year's Marist football senior class, their final game will also be the site of
their first career game. The Red Foxes opened the 2008 season at San Diego, and
the five members of this year's senior class who appeared in that game were
defensive end James Desautels, running back Ryan Dinnebeil, wide
receiver Kevin Fitzpatrick, safety Brandon Kicklighter and punter
Kevin Pauly.
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT: Senior running back Timothy
Moller has been named CoSIDA/Capital One First Team Academic All-District
for the second time in his career. Moller also earned the honor in 2009.
A MARIST WIN TODAY WOULD ... : be its first
against San Diego in seven tries in program history, give the Red Foxes a final
mark of .500 (4-4) in PFL play, and make the Red Foxes 7-5 all-time in PFL road
games.
HISTORY WITH SAN DIEGO: Marist is still looking
for its first win against San Diego all-time, as the Red Foxes have an 0-6
record in the series. The last two years, the Toreros' winning score came in
the final minute of play.
STRONG DEFENSE: Marist ranks first in the PFL and
ninth in the FCS in total defense, allowing an average of just 299.7 yards per
game.
100 ON THE GROUND: Senior RB Calvin McCoy
had a career-high 116 rushing yards against Valparaiso on Nov. 5. It was the
first time a Red Fox had rushed for 100 yards in a game since Atiq Lucas
had 113 against Valparaiso on Oct. 9, 2010.
100/100: In addition to McCoy's effort, senior WR Kevin
Fitzpatrick had 111 receiving yards against Valparaiso. The last time
Marist had a 100-yard rusher and receiver in the same game came on Sept. 26,
2009, when O'Neil Anderson had 133 rushing yards and James LaMacchia
had 127 receiving yards at Bucknell.
SACK ARTIST: Junior DE Terrence Fede leads
the Red Foxes with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for losses.The sack total is the
highest for a Red Fox since Payton Rogers had 9.5 in 2003. Fede was
named PFL Co-Defensive Player of the Week while also earning a College Football
Performance Award for his 11-tackle, four-tackles for losses, three-sack effort
against Drake on Oct. 29.
STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORTS = VICTORIES: In eight of
its last 10 victories (dating back to the 2009 season), Marist has held the
opposition to 10 points or less.
TOUCHBACKS FOR MYERS: Junior K Jason Myers
has 12 touchbacks on 40 kickoffs this season. He leads the PFL in touchbacks,
and had touchbacks on all four of his kickoffs against Campbell on Oct. 15.
TOO MANY TURNOVERS ... : Marist has a minus-13
turnover ratio (28 turnovers committed, 15 forced) this season. Marist ranks
113th out of 120 FCS teams in turnover margin.
FIVE 100-YARD RECEIVERS: Five different Red Foxes
have gone over 100 receiving yards in a game this season. Michael Rios
(122) and Kevin Fitzpatrick (119) did so at Sacred Heart, and
Fitzpatrick also did so against Valparaiso (111). Armani Martin (162)
accomplished the feat vs. Georgetown, Bartley Leneghan (103) did it vs.
Jacksonville, and Anthony Calcagni (130) eclipsed 100 at Butler.
MYERS, CRONAN HONORED: Junior K Jason Myers
and senior LB Ryan Cronan each earned College Football Performance
Awards following Marist's 30-7 win over Valparaiso on Nov. 5. Myers kicked
three field goals, and Cronan had team-highs of eight tackles and three stops
for losses.
