The Marist defense returned to form against the Stetson Hatters on Saturday afternoon, forcing three turnovers and keeping their offense on the field en route to a dominant 41-13 victory to end the team’s four-game losing streak.
“I was really impressed by the way our offense executed today,” said head coach Mike Willis. “I was especially proud in the second half when everyone in the stadium knew we were going to run the ball, yet we were still efficient and occasionally explosive.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Sonny Mannino put his name all over this game, putting his arm and legs on display. His 78-yard touchdown pass to graduate student Connor Hulstein marked the longest play from scrimmage for the Red Foxes this season, and his 49-yard touchdown run put Marist up 24-0 with over 8:00 remaining in the first half.
“Obviously, I love scoring, but the energy today, in the stands and on the sideline, that was my favorite part about this win,” said Mannino. “Especially after last week’s loss – the energy was great to see and be a part of.”
Mannino also hooked up with redshirt freshman wideout Lance Martinez in the second quarter, taking his first-half touchdown total to three. Martinez finished with 59 receiving yards.
The Red Fox captain ended his day with four total touchdowns, 244 all-purpose yards and led the Red Foxes to almost 10 yards per play
Freshman defensive back Chase Hatton notched two interceptions, adding to his total of four on the season. He also logged 10 tackles in the first half and finished the contest with 11.
“I think it has a lot to do with their trust in me,” said Hatton on his versatile style of play. “My coaches trust me, and I am confident enough to do it.”
Hatton has earned a handsome amount of national recognition for his ability to make big plays, and today he backed it up.
“Chase showed up in the best shape that a freshman has had in my time here,” said Willis. “From there, it is coaching; the coaches have done a great job with him, and he has executed.”
Marist continued to utilize the wildcat formation, mostly with graduate student running back Tristan Shannon. He took three direct snaps, one of them in the first quarter for 27 yards, and this trickery gave the Hatters’ defenders fits with all the different looks the Red Foxes threw at them.
Stetson senior quarterback Gavin Rupp threw a ball late, a trend today, and freshman safety Jace Williamson jumped the lane, snagged the ball and took it to the endzone. This marked the first pick-six for Marist since 2023, when cornerback Rechee Smith took one back against Presbyterian.
After head coach Mike Jasper ripped Rupp out of the game, redshirt freshman quarterback Kael Alexander looked composed as he led his Hatters down the field in a two-minute drill, putting them on the scoreboard with just seven seconds left in the half. He found a wide-open Beau Bangston, a 6-foot-3 freshman, in the endzone, making the score 38-7 at the half.
A Samer Layous 46-yarder padded the Marist lead early in the third quarter, taking his field goal percentage over 70 on the year. The 46-yarder is the longest of the season for the Red Foxes.
Graduate student Cayden Betts scored a late touchdown to get the Hatters into double digits, but the game was already far out of reach.
Several players contributed to the Marist defense, including redshirt sophomore linebacker Nate Furrow, who earned his starting role back today. He finished the day with seven tackles and a sack.
Marist put on a clinic in this one, on both sides of the ball. This is the most points that the Red Foxes have scored since last season’s road victory over Stetson.
Everyone did their job – the line moved defenders, backs found open lanes and corners locked down in coverage – a full team effort, and the final score shows it. Marist stays in Poughkeepsie and faces Davidson next weekend. Kickoff is set for 12 pm.
Edited by August Lieberman
Graphic and Photo by Quinn DiFiore
For more coverage of Marist athletics, follow @cfmarist on Instagram, X, and TikTok, and sign up to receive daily alerts here.