THE MATCH-UP: The Marist football team (0-0) opens the 2012 season with a non-league contest with its first trip to Bryant (0-0) of the Northeast Conference. Kickoff at Bulldog Stadium is set for 3 p.m. EDT.
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. Weir has been on air for all 35 seasons of Marist's Division I history. The pregame show will begin at 2:45 p.m. EDT. For live game updates, check the official Twitter account of Marist Athletics (@MaristAthletics). You can also listen to the game on your mobile device or tablet through the iHeartRadio app.
MEET THE CAPTAINS: Marist has four captains on this year's team. Three are seniors on the defensive side of the ball - linebacker Mike Hagemann, safety Nick Mainiero and safety Tyler Ramsey. The Red Foxes' lone captain on the offensive side of the ball is quarterback Chuckie Looney, who is just the second true junior to be named captain in Jim Parady's 21 seasons as head coach. The first was Rory Foley in 2010.
HISTORY WITH BRYANT: This is just the second meeting all-time between the Red Foxes and Bulldogs, and the first in Rhode Island. The only previous meeting between the teams came on Oct. 11, 2008, when Marist prevailed 34-7 in Poughkeepsie. QB Chris Debowski tied a program record with four touchdown passes as he threw for 321 yards.
STRONG DEFENSE: Last season, Marist ranked first in the PFL and sixth in the FCS in total defense, allowing an average of just 285.6 yards per game.
LOTS OF RETURNERS: Marist returns 70 letterwinners from last year's team. The Red Foxes bring back eight starters offensively and five starters defensively.
BACK FOR A FIFTH YEAR: Four Red Foxes have returned for a fifth year of eligibility this season: WR Mike Rios, RB Calvin McCoy, QB Tommy Reilly and S Steve Guarino.
PRESEASON PFL HONOREES: Four Marist seniors - TE Anthony Calcagni, RT Phede Celestin, DE Terrence Fede and S Nick Mainiero - were named Preseason All-PFL. As a team, the Red Foxes were tabbed for a sixth-place finish.
SACK ARTIST: Junior DE Terrence Fede led Marist last season with 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for losses.The sack total was the highest for a Red Fox since Payton Rogers had 9.5 in 2003.
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: Senior K Jason Myers has led the PFL in touchbacks each of the last two seasons. Myers has 25 touchbacks the last two seasons, and was named Honorable Mention All-PFL both years.
TOO MANY TURNOVERS ... : Last season, Marist ranked 117th out of 120 FCS teams in turnover margin. The Red Foxes turned the ball over 33 times (11 fumbles, 22 interceptions) and had 17 takeaways (eight fumble recoveries, nine interceptions) for a -16 differential and -1.45 margin per game.
AVOIDING SLOW STARTS IN GAMES ... : In the 2011 season, Marist was outscored 80-17 in the first quarter. The Red Foxes outscored their opponent in every other quarter (76-74 in the second, 61-37 in the third, 39-38 in the fourth)
.... AND IN SEASONS ... : Since the start of the 2006 season, Marist is 5-21 in games played prior to Oct. 1.
FAMILY MATTERS (X4): Marist has four sets of brothers this season, including two sets of twins. Junior DE Steve Diomede and junior TE David Diomede are twins, as are freshman RB Garrett Clay and freshman WR Dylan Clay. Freshman CB Mike Marston joined his brother, junior CB Jack Marston, on the team this season, and freshman S Jesse Mainiero joined his brother, senior S Nick Mainiero.
EXPERIENCE ON STAFF: Marist has five coaches on staff who have over a decade's worth of experience with the program. Head Coach Jim Parady is in his 22nd year with the program and 21st as head coach. Associate Head Coach Scott Rumsey is in his 15th season on staff and 12th as defensive coordinator. Kickers coach Tom Kelly, heading into his 29th season, is the longest-tenured member of the staff. Cornerbacks coach Larry Riley is in his 25th season, and offensive line coach Bill Roos is in his 11th year.
COVERING THE USA: Marist has players from 16 different states this season (New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maine, North Carolina and Washington). Just over half of Marist's roster of 119 comes from New York (32) and New Jersey (28).
