It’s been a rough few games for the start of head coach Mike Willis’s tenure as head coach of the Marist football program. Then again, it’s non-conference play, and for a non-scholarship conference, it feels like the season starts today for the Red Foxes against the Dayton Flyers in PFL play. Making a statement in your conference is huge for every level of college football, but in the PFL, it’s everything.
The Red Foxes could certainly use the momentum. Most recently, Marist lost to Bucknell, 34-18, after losing each of their previous games with only two scores each (31-10, 54-16). After the standard Georgetown opener, Marist battled their highest-ranked opponent ever in No. 19 Lafayette. They fell mightily, but understandably so.
While the Marist offense had its best game so far last week, the biggest questions lie in the quarterback room. Against Bucknell, redshirt sophomore and starting quarterback Enzo Arjona exited the third quarter and was seen wearing a splint on his forearm walking off the field. Willis declined to comment to Center Field on Monmouth transfer Enzo Arjona’s health earlier this week.
Though Arjona’s status for next week and the rest of the season are inconclusive, redshirt sophomore Sonny Mannino should see the majority of action under center if Arjona cannot play today. Although Mannino has 21 completions on the season compared to Arjona’s 46; Mannino has only 40 less yards and has made big plays this season with his arm talent.
Not only is Mannino effective as a signal caller, but he is used all over the field. He’s lined up as a tight end, in the slot and out wide at receiver.
“Sonny is a versatile athlete… at this point he’s lined up everywhere but the line,” said Willis. “[He] has worked really, really hard to be the MVP of his role… [he’s a] great example of our philosophy that the more you can do, the more you can play.”
Along with his versatility, Mannino has had the chance to show off his arm. A couple deep shots early when he entered the game vs Bucknell, connecting on one to graduate student Mohamed Diawara far down the field while rolling out to the right side of the field.
While the offense goes under personnel changes at quarterback, Diawara has improved dramatically as lead receiver in the last two games. In past years, the Graduate Student primarily lined up out wide, but this year his role has shifted into the slot. Having him in the slot allows him to make after-the-catch plays and gives his quarterback a safety net underneath. Diawara finished the Bucknell contest with 125 yards, his career high. He also scored both touchdowns in the team’s week two loss to Lafayette, his first two collegiate touchdowns ever.
Another evident bright spot came on the back-end of the Marist defense, and true freshman cornerback Nate Robinson Jr. has stepped up through three games with the Red Foxes. He had his first collegiate interception in the loss against Bucknell and shined as a boundary corner, but what makes him so intriguing is the fact that he can cover either sideline, as well as the slot.
“He is process oriented in everything he does,” WIllis said. “He embodies our program’s values in working to get one percent better everyday and make each day your masterpiece.”
Kade Werner is another player that has stood out on defense for the Red Foxes thus far. His versatility at both outside linebacker and slot brings some firepower to the young Marist defense. Werner has 12 tackles this year, tied for third on the team.
Their opponent, the Dayton Flyers, have two wins under their belt: one against St. Francis (Northeast Division football) and Ave Maria (NAIA Division II). Their loss comes to Indiana State of the Missouri Valley conference, an extremely talented bunch of teams, includingSan Diego State, the No.1 ranked FCS school in the country.
It’s not only the first inter-conference game for the Red Foxes, but they’ll be behind a Marist parents weekend crowd that will most likely bring energy into Tenney Stadium. The season unfolds for Willis and the Red Foxes later today at 12 p.m.
Edited by Dan Aulbach
Photo from Ricky Torres
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