GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Sept, 30, 2023
TIME: 1:00 PM EST |
LOCATION: Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field
Poughkeepsie, NY
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
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THE LEAD
The Stetson Hatters hit the road for the second time this season as they head to the Empire State to take on the Marist Red Foxes, marking their second game of conference play. The Hatters will enter the matchup after dropping their last two contests against #3 Montana State and the Butler Bulldogs in a 28-18 loss last Saturday.
INSIDE THE SERIES
In nine previous meetings, Marist holds the series lead at 7-2, with Stetson looking to make its mark in the 10th encounter. Recent times have favored Marist, winning the last three games, including a 45-31 loss for Stetson in their most recent face-off on October 8, 2022. Stetson has performed well at home, holding a 2-2 record on their turf. However, when on the road in Poughkeepsie, Stetson has struggled, currently trailing with an 0-5 all-time record. The series began with Marist's 27-0 victory on October 26, 2013, but Stetson bounced back on November 8, 2014, with a hard-fought 22-14 win.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (2-2, 0-1 PIONEER)
Stetson started the year with a heart-pounding 34-33 overtime win against St. Thomas (Fla.) and followed it up with a solid 38-28 victory over Webber International. However, their last two games proved to be formidable tests, resulting in losses. Stetson fell to the formidable #3-ranked Montana State with a score of 57-20 and then suffered a tough 28-18 loss to Butler in their conference opener.
Offensively, Stetson has shown resilience, averaging 27.5 points per game, ranking fifth in the PFL. They've scored a total of 13 touchdowns, with eight of them coming from rushing plays. Their offense has generated an average of 349 yards per game and shares the distinction of having the most field goals in the conference, with six successfully converted.
Wide receiver Gabe Atkin emerged as a standout player, particularly in his career game last week, amassing 8 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. He leads the team with 21 receptions on the season, racking up 255 yards and two touchdowns. Jalon Warthen-Carr has also made significant contributions with 8 receptions for 109 yards.
At the quarterback position, both Matt O'Connor and Brady Meitz have seen action. O'Connor has thrown for 488 yards on 43 of 72 passing attempts, while Meitz has accumulated 348 passing yards on 28 of 54 completions. They have both tossed two touchdowns each, with Meitz holding the distinction of the longest pass at 51 yards.
On the defensive front, the dynamic duo of Nicholas Lerew and Diego Davis has been instrumental, combining for an impressive 77 tackles this season. Lerew leads the team with 40 total tackles, tied for 18th in all of FCS, and both players have applied pressure to opposing quarterbacks with two QB hits each as Davis leads the team in sacks with two and has forced two fumbles. Stetson's defense has also displayed its ball-hawking skills, with Jaylon Johnson, David Stubbs, and Rassie Littlejohn all recording interceptions. Littlejohn took his interception all the way for a pick-six against Butler, showcasing his game-changing abilities.
Freshman kicker Daniel Holbrook has been a reliable asset for Stetson, connecting on 6 of 7 field goal attempts this year. He maintains a perfect record on PATs, going 12-12. Holbrook has demonstrated his accuracy on attempts inside 40 yards, although he's 2-3 beyond that range.
SCOUTING THE RED FOXES (1-2, 0-1 PIONEER)
Marist began their season with a challenging start, facing Georgetown in a tough matchup that resulted in a 7-49 loss. In Week 2, they started conference play against Davidson and faced another formidable opponent, ultimately falling short with a 21-49 score. However, the Red Foxes bounced back with an overtime win against Valparaiso, triumphing with a 36-30 victory on the road. Running back Amin Woods stole the spotlight in overtime, taking the Red Foxes' first snap 25 yards for a game-winning touchdown.
Offensively, Marist has averaged 21.33 points per game while allowing an average of 42.67 points per game to adversaries. In terms of total offense, Marist has amassed 872 yards, with 302 of those gained on the ground. Of the nine touchdowns they've scored, three were achieved through rushing plays, while six came through the air.
Amin Woods has been a mainstay in the backfield, leading the team with 43 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Brock Bagozzi and running back Tristan Shannon have also contributed with a rushing touchdown each. Bagozzi and Logan Brabham have shared quarterback duties, with Bagozzi leading in completions (43) and attempts (92), accumulating 551 passing yards and a 5:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Receiver Matt Stianche has been the go-to target for the Red Foxes, making 13 receptions for an impressive 281 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Will Downes and Brandon Lombana have also made notable contributions, with Downes catching 9 passes for 129 yards and Lombana reeling in 5 receptions for 51 yards, each scoring a touchdown.
On the defensive side, safety Camron Ball and linebacker Mike Arrington have been the driving forces, combining for 41 total tackles. Linebacker Justin Iaccio leads the team with a pair of sacks, while four other Red Foxes have recorded a sack or half each. Safety Jayson Colorado secured the team's sole interception this season, coming in their recent matchup against Valparaiso.
Jim Parady, a true veteran in the coaching world, has guided the Marist football program through three decades of growth. As he enters his 33rd year as the Red Foxes' head coach in 2023 and his 34th year overall with the program, Parady brings a wealth of experience. His coaching tenure has seen both successes and challenges, amassing a record of 152-166-1 and a conference record of 112-82-1.
NEXT UP
The Hatters will finish off their roadtrip with a trip to Clinton, S.C. to face the Presbyterian College Blue Hose on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1 PM.
