THE MATCH-UP: The Marist football team (3-5 overall, 2-3 Pioneer Football League) returns home to face Drake (6-2, 4-1) in a Pioneer Football League contest. Kickoff at Tenney Stadium is set for noon. This is the fourth home game for Marist in a span of six weeks.
HOW TO FOLLOW US: Ed Weir (play-by-play) and Geoff Brault (color) will provide the call on WKIP 1450 AM in Poughkeepsie, which will also have a live and free audio stream on GoRedFoxes.com. A video stream will also be available on GoRedFoxes.com for a subscription fee. The pregame show will begin at 11:45 a.m. EDT. Check for live game updates on Twitter (@MaristAthletics).
SCOUTING DRAKE: Drake defeated Valparaiso 50-0 last week. The Bulldogs rank second in the PFL in total defense, having allowed just 1.8 yards per game more than the Red Foxes. Drake QB Mike Piatkowski is completing 66.8 percent of his passes and is third in the PFL in passing yards per game and first in efficiency.
A MARIST WIN TODAY WOULD ... :
- give the Red Foxes a .500 record in the PFL at 3-3.
- be its first win against Drake in three tries.
- snap a seven-game home losing streak.
- snap a six-game home losing streak against PFL foes.
HISTORY WITH DRAKE: This is the third meeting between Marist and Drake, with the Bulldogs having won the first two contests by a combined score of 76-6. On Sept. 12, 2009, the teams met in the Red Foxes' first PFL game in program history, which the Bulldogs won 34-6 at Tenney Stadium.
IN SEARCH OF A HOME WIN: Marist enters today's game with seven consecutive losses at Tenney Stadium. The Red Foxes' last home win was a 14-3 triumph over Bucknell on Sept. 11, 2010. Marist has also dropped its last six home games against PFL opponents. The last league home win the Red Foxes had was a 24-0 shutout of Valparaiso on Oct. 31, 2009.
PFL'S TOP DEFENSE: Marist ranks first in the PFL and 15th in the FCS in total defense, allowing an average of just 307.25 yards per game. The Red Foxes have held five of their eight opponents under 300 yards of total offense this season.
STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORTS = VICTORIES: In seven of its last nine 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 11 touchbacks on 30 kickoffs this season. He leads the PFL in touchbacks, and had touchbacks on all four of his kickoffs against Campbell on Oct. 15.
GENERATING PRESSURE: Junior DE Terrence Fede leads the Red Foxes with 5.5 sacks through the season's first eight games, including 1.5 against Butler on Oct. 22. Fede also blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter at Bucknell on Sept. 10.
TOO MANY TURNOVERS ... : Marist has a minus-12 turnover ratio (22 turnovers committed, 10 forced) this season. Marist ranks 114th out of 120 FCS teams in turnover margin.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNES: At Butler on Oct. 22, Marist scored a first-quarter touchdown and led at halftime for the first all year.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RUNNING GAME: Marist has had its three highest rushing totals in its last three games. The Red Foxes ran for 106 yards at Davidson on Oct. 8, 134 against Campbell on Oct. 15, and 148 at Butler on Oct. 22. In Marist's first five games, the Red Foxes averaged just 47.2 rushing yards per game.
BACKED UP ON A SHORT FIELD: Of the 23 touchdown drives the Red Foxes' defense has given up this season, 13 of those drives have started in Marist territory.
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, Armani Martin (162) accomplished the feat against Georgetown, Bart Leneghan (103) did it against Jacksonville, and Anthony Calcagni (130) eclipsed 100 at Butler.
CALCAGNI HONORED (TWICE): Junior TE Anthony Calcagni received two national awards after having five receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown at Butler on Oct. 22. He received Beyond Sports Network (BSN) Offensive Player of the Week, and FCS National Tight End Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.
TWO PICKS = ONE AWARD: Senior CB Jaquan Bryant intercepted two passes at Butler on Oct. 22, and earned an Honorable Mention Award from the College Football Performance Awards. It was the second time in his career that Bryant had two interceptions in a game, as he returned two for touchdowns at Sacred Heart on Sept. 5, 2009.
