Marist University uses four turnovers to slow down New Haven and post season-opening victory.
Marist will not have to wait until November for its first football victory.
The Red Foxes opened the 2025 season, and second for head coach Mike Willis, with a stirring 31-14 victory over visiting New Haven in a non-conference game before 4,955 fans at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeesie on Friday evening.
Marist (1-0) stormed to a 17-0 first-quarter lead, and the Chargers (0-1) drew no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
A year ago, Marist opened the season with nine losses, won at Stetson in week 10 and then closed with a home setback against Presbyterian.
New Haven piled up 395 yards of total offense (just 18 on the ground), but the Chargers turned the ball over four times, on three fumbles and an interception.
"The way our defense played was just so inspiring,'' Willis said. "There are a few things we have to clean up ... but our guys played really hard from what I could gather on the field. Their energy and enthusiasm was off the charts. It was a fun sideline to be on.''
Marist rolled up 228 yards on the ground and 75 through the air on 11-for-20 passing by returning starter Sonny Mannino.
In the opening quarter, Samer Layous booted a 35-yard field goal not even five minutes into the game. Shannon scored on a 59-yard run midway through the quarter. Mannino then found Connor Hulstein on a 17-yard scoring pass.
Still only up 10, Mannino tacked on a 4-yard scoring run late in the third quarter. After New Haven pulled within 10 again early in the fourth, Marist completed the win when Rene Barber recovered a fumble in the end zone with 52 seconds remaining.
Mannino had 21 carries for 109 yards and Shannon had eight carries for 104. Jackson Conners-McCarthy had three catches for 17 yards and Hulstein two for 27. Ethan Yuska boomed six punts for 44 yards, two over 50 yards and a pair placed inside the 20.
Tyrell Powell and Kade Werner posted sacks. Powell and Garrett Carter led with eight tackles, Chase Hatton with seven and Werner with six. Hatton returned an interception 43 yards. Nate Robinson Jr. had a pair of pass breakups.
Marist hosts Bucknell on September 6 (1 p.m., ESPN+).
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Marist football tops New Haven
Category: General Sports
