POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist football team held its first intrasquad scrimmage of 2012 training camp on Saturday morning at Tenney Stadium.
The defense started the contest with the upper hand, with three interceptions in the first quarter-and-a-half. Junior safety Nick Kaszei (Brook Park, Ohio) had two early pickoffs, both of which occurred in the red zone. Sophomore safety Matthew Semelsberger (Ijamsville, Md.) also had a first-quarter interception, and senior defensive end Brett Sanchez (North Hampton, N.H.) blocked a punt.
"The defense set the tone early, which is exactly what we talked to the players about," Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Scott Rumsey said.
However, the offense battled back with a sustained scoring drive and two long touchdowns later in the second quarter. Fifth-year senior quarterback Tommy Reilly (Marlton, N.J.) capped a drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Armani Martin (Pembroke Pines, Fla.). On the ensuing drive, junior quarterback Chuckie Looney (Ocala, Fla.) launched a 63-yard touchdown pass to freshman Dylan Clay (Cumberland, Md.). Later in the period, sophomore running back Max Jacques (Salem, N.H.) broke a 43-yard touchdown run.
In the third quarter, junior quarterback Duell Smith (Hilton, N.Y.) tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Matt Tralli (Croton, N.Y.). Sophomore safety Alex Spiess (Barrington, R.I.) returned a third-quarter interception 33 yards for a touchdown, and sophomore running back Jared Lynch (East Brunswick, N.J.) closed out the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
"I was not happy with the way we started offensively, but I was happy with how we responded to the adversity," Head Coach Jim Parady said. "Our young guys finished the game well."
Marist will have its second and final intrasquad scrimmage of camp on Thursday, Aug. 23 at Tenney Stadium beginning at 9:15 a.m. The Red Foxes will open their season on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Bryant at 3 p.m. The team will have its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 8 against Bucknell at 6 p.m.
