After a 1-10 2024 campaign, the Marist Red Foxes look to improve significantly in head coach Mike Willis’ second year at the helm.
A new offense, led by offensive coordinator TJ Weyl, provides some optimism for the Red Foxes. Weyl was on the staff last as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, but got promoted to offensive coordinator this offseason.
Returning players such as redshirt junior quarterback Sonny Mannino and redshirt sophomore do-it-all tight end Jackson Connors-McCarthy look to catapult this Marist squad into the win column. On the other side of the ball, junior safety Kade Werner and sophomore cornerback Nate Robinson Jr. aim to build on strong 2024 campaigns – their play is crucial for a successful season in Poughkeepsie.
New Haven (August 29, Home)
The New Haven Chargers will be competing at the Division I level for the first time this season, and their first opponent is the Marist Red Foxes. New Haven went 8-3 last year, including an undefeated record at home (4-0).
Senior Running Backs Jalen Smith and Zaon Laney are returning, which is huge for the Chargers. Smith did not headline the running back room last year, but he possesses a special burst and a certain speed that will benefit this New Haven offense. His counterpart, Laney, was a featured part of the offense last year, tallying 757 yards and adding five touchdowns. This two-headed monster in the Chargers’ backfield is the heart and soul of this squad. Look for a plethora of pulling guards and outside runs, because these two backs have blazing speed and will showcase it on early-down run plays.
Bucknell (September 6, Home)
Fifth-year Senior quarterback Ralph Rucker IV returns to Bucknell after completing nearly 70% of his passes and throwing for 25 touchdowns in 2024. His prowess as a pocket passer is devastating for defenses, as he scans the field just as well as the top signal callers in all of FCS football.
Rucker’s partner-in-crime is sophomore running back Tariq Thomas, a blazing fast Swiss Army knife that the Bison can, and will, use all over the field. Thomas averaged nearly five yards per carry last year, which is better than a handful of power-five backs.
Defensively, the Bison retained a linebacker/safety hybrid in junior Nick Hoying. Hoying had four-and-a-half sacks last year, along with an interception and 90 total tackles.
Wagner (September 13, Away)
After a 4-8 season, Wagner opens their schedule on the road against a legitimate Big 12 Conference threat in the Kansas Jayhawks. The Seahawks then go to Georgetown to face the Hoyas, a well-rounded squad and not an easy matchup whatsoever.
Wagner’s first home game comes against the Red Foxes in week three, which doubles as Marist’s first away game. The Seahawks schedule is riddled with travel and some tough opponents, but will be a true test for the Red Foxes on the road, especially early on in the season.
The Seahawks are an extremely run-heavy team, and the ball is often in the hands of senior running back Rickey Spruill. The Morrisville, PA native has notched nearly 700 yards in back-to-back seasons, and averaged almost 75 yards a game through the first half of 2024.
Butler (September 27, Away)
To kick off Pioneer Football League play, Marist travels to Indianapolis to face the Butler Bulldogs. As mentioned previously, Similar to Wagner, Butler loves to run the football, and they have one of the better backfield committees in the PFL. The Bulldogs had four running backs who tallied 300 yards or more in 2024; most didn’t even have two.
Their sophomore quarterback, Reagan Andrew, is also a threat with his legs. Butler chews off yards; they do not go for big chunk plays or deep passes because they know how to wear a defense down in the trenches. When they do pass the ball, it is often a short pass or screen that allows their playmakers to get into open space. Marist needs to control the line of scrimmage to win this game, but if that is handled, the Bulldogs might be kept quiet at home.
San Diego (October 4, Home)
San Diego comes into the season with lofty expectations, even after they lost their best player in Ja’Seem Reed. As Reed suits up for minicamp with the Cleveland Browns, the Toreros look to replicate what they did last year: an 8-3 record and 6-2 in PFL play. The team is led by senior quarterback Grant Sergent, who threw 26 touchdowns last season and only five interceptions. He is a true difference maker and has already proven to be one of the best quarterbacks, if not players, in the conference.
The Toreros’ wideout room is a bit thin, but senior Josh Heverly could give Red Foxes some trouble. He is very good down the field, as he averaged 14.7 yards per reception in 2024. Marist will need to run the ball well in this one, as San Diego’s secondary is filled with seniors who bring experience and skill to an already strong Terero team.
Penn (October 11, Away)
Penn features an extremely dangerous linebacker group, headlined by junior Kadari Machen. Machen had 71 tackles last year while posing a legit threat to rush the quarterback. In arguably the toughest game on the Red Foxes can take advantage of a young Penn secondary. However, with how much pressure the Quakers generate, it will be tough for Marist to hold the ball in the pocket for a long time.
Morehead State (October 18, Away)
A 7-5 record in 2024 coupled with a new stadium name has Morehead State fans ready for what could be a promising season. The Red Foxes will travel to Phil Simms Stadium, renamed as a nod to the ex-New York Giant and Morehead State Eagle. The Eagles are led by junior quarterback Carter Cravens, an old-fashioned pocket-passer with a rocket for an arm. His stats do not jump off the page, but Cravens has shown flashes of impressive arm talent.
Morehead State’s biggest weakness last year was their run game; their top two running backs averaged just over four yards per carry, and given that the PFL is a run-heavy league, this needs to change for the Eagles to have success. Marist travels for this one, but can certainly come out of Kentucky with a win.
Drake (October 25, Home)
Drake put up a 7-1 conference record last year thanks to an extremely well-rounded roster: one with no superstars, but a bunch of players who simply do their job. They ended up winning the PFL, going 7-1 in conference play and 8-2 overall.
Running back Luke Woodson returns for the Bulldogs after he took most of the second-team carries last year, but he’s this year’s starter. He has big play ability and will pose a threat in the receiving game as well. Marist hosts Drake this year, but it could be a tough task to knock off the former Pioneer League champs.
St. Thomas (November 1, Away)
A mediocre 6-6 campaign has the Tommies in a tough spot, especially after losing their starting quarterback. The projected starter for 2025 is junior Michael Rostberg, a 6-foot-4 junior who has some good field vision, but will need help from his supporting cast if St. Thomas wants to come out of this matchup with the Red Foxes victorious. The Tommies also lost former 1,000-yard rusher Hope Adebayo; their next starting running back will have some large shoes to fill in 2025.
Stetson (November 8, Home)
In 2024, Stetson opened the season 2-0, and it looked like the Hatters were primed for a solid season. They did not win another game all year, and Marist’s lone victory came over them in Florida. Stetson rosters a huge freshman class, as the underclassmen make up nearly half of this Hatters roster. There are no certainties at any position on the field for Stetson, as a two-win campaign does not necessarily scream automatic starter, even at quarterback. Marist put up 40 points on the Hatters in 2024, and scoring like that again would give them another win against Stetson, this time in Poughkeepsie.
Davidson (November 15, Home)
The Davidson Wildcats did not have a single quarterback on their roster throw for more than 600 yards last season, speaking to how heavily they rely on their run game to win. The team will look to senior running back Mari Adams on the majority of their play calls, run or pass. Adams is one of the most dynamic players in the PFL and rushed for over 1,200 yards last year, also notching 15 touchdowns.
This elite Davidson running back room is also home to senior Mason Sheron, who sits at 220 pounds and can run over anybody in his way. This duo at the running back position allows for wildcat-formation plays, screens and even some running back throws. If Marist can contain the run against the Wildcats, which is no easy feat, they certainly can win this game at home.
Presbyterian, (November 22, Away)
Presbyterian rounds out the regular season against the Red Foxes, who finish on a three-game homestand. Presbyterian went 6-6 last year, including winning four and losing four in conference play. The Blue Hose will look to build on a solid 2024 campaign, as they were the definition of mediocre, sitting at .500 across the board.
Sophomore quarterback Collin Hurst, who was the PFL’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, will look to continue his great play in 2025. He threw for nearly 300 yards against the Red Foxes last season, a 42-23 Presbyterian win. If Marist’s defense can control the air-raid attack that is this Blue Hose offense, they can end the season with a win.
Edited by Ryan Eichem and Ben Leeds
Graphic by Quinn DiFiore
Photo by Kira Crutcher
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