Marist football traveled to San Diego on Oct. 19 hoping to earn their first victory of the season and spoil the Toreros’ homecoming weekend in the process; but the Red Foxes were dominated on both sides of the ball, falling 34-6 in their seventh-straight loss.
The 0-7 start to begin the season is the worst for the Marist program since 1978, and it marks the first time the program has lost seven consecutive games since 1980.
Coming into the game, San Diego had received national attention for their opportunistic defense. The Toreros lead the FCS in defensive touchdowns and all of Division I college football in pick sixes.
The Torero’s defensive dominance continued on Saturday– and it didn’t take long. On the game’s opening drive, redshirt sophomore quarterback Sonny Mannino’s pass was intercepted by Preseason All-PFL honoree, graduate student defensive back Eric Haney. The pick was returned for a touchdown to give San Diego the early lead, and the Red Foxes never quite recovered.
Just a week removed from tying Marist’s single-game touchdown record, Mannino and the Red Foxes’ potent offense were shut down by San Diego. Mannino did not match the success he had in recent weeks, but finished with 16-for-26 with 142 yards and a touchdown as well as a team-leading 34 rushing yards.
After the opening drive interception, Mannino and the offense didn’t turn the ball over for the remainder of the game against the San Diego defense that specializes in takeaways.
Trailing 14-0 late in the first half, Marist put together a promising drive with a chance to build crucial momentum going into halftime. The Red Foxes got all the way to the Toreros’ one-yard line with just 15 seconds remaining in the half but failed to score.
The Red Foxes defense made a crucial stand to open the second half and force a long field goal try, but senior kicker Aidan Lehman nailed a booming 52-yard field goal to extend the Toreros’ lead.
On their first offensive possession of the second half, the Red Foxes put together their lone scoring drive of the game. Mannino went five-for-five for 55 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown strike to graduate student wide receiver Mohammed Diawara to cut the deficit to 17-6.
The Toreros responded with a scoring drive of their own, capped off by a touchdown pass from graduate student quarterback Grant Sergent to senior wide receiver Ja’Seem Reed. Sergent and Reed’s connection was on display all game; gashing the Red Foxes secondary for eight receptions, 162 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition to the strong passing attack, the Toreros also ran for 200 yards on Saturday, led by graduate student running back Isaiah Smith, who rushed for 104 yards on 14 carries.
Over the last three games, the Red Foxes’ rush defense has been inefficient, surrendering 258 rushing yards per game. Teams are dominating at the line of scrimmage, running the ball at will and controlling the time of possession as a result.
If the Red Foxes are going to turn the season around, it starts with the rush defense. Things won’t get any easier as next week’s opponent, Valparaiso, boasts a capable running back duo in redshirt junior Ryan Mann, a 2023 All-PFL honorable mention, and senior Michael Mansaray, who is gaining a robust five yards per carry this season.
The Red Foxes, still in search of their first victory, return to Tenney Stadium for homecoming weekend and a PFL contest against Valparaiso next Saturday at noon.
Edited by Dan Aulbach
Photo: Jaylen Rizzo