Mike White
Columbia will travel to Marist College’s tiny 5,000 seat
Tenney Stadium in week four to reciprocate two games in recent years, (a 31-7 win
in 2007, and a 10-9
squeaker in 2012), where the Lions hosted the Red Foxes at Wien Stadium.
I’m selfishly happy about this arrangement because Marist is
very close to the lovely town of Rhinebeck, NY and its bevvy of incredible
restaurants run by graduates of the nearby Culinary Institute of America.
But getting back to the game, Marist is another opponent
that’s a little harder to measure than most. The Red Foxes had a mixed year in
2016, going 5-6 overall, but failing to win any games against its
non-conference opponents. That included a 20-17 loss to
Georgetown at home.
Here’s what we need to expect from Marist this season:
OFFENSE
Coming back this season is the somewhat erratic but still
potentially dangerous starting QB Mike White. He had some good numbers in 2016
with a 21 TD pass-to-11 interceptions ratio and an average of 266 yards passing
per game. But he only logged a 48% completion rate and he took more than an
average of three sacks per game.
Also back is Marcellus Calhoun, a very experienced RB who
led the team in rushing with 604 yards and six TD’s, but only averaged 3.6
yards per carry.
Top 2016 WR Juston Christian returns after an impressive
sophomore year where he hauled in 48 passes for 1,018 yards and eight TD’s.
The offensive line returns a decent three starters, but
again this is a unit that could not run block all that well and gave up more
than three sacks per game.
DEFENSE
The good news for the Red Foxes is the defense returns seven
of 11 starters from 2016, including top
tackler and demon ball hawk safety Wesley Beans, excellent linebacker Willie
Barrett and rising sophomore sensation DE Peter Delatour.
The bad news is Marist’s defense was a weak link last year,
playing very poorly against the run. The Red Foxes gave up an average of 207
yards rushing per game, 4.6 yards per attempt, and 24 rushing TD’s in 11 games.
The pass defense was better, but since running was so easy
to do against Marist it’s hard to judge those passing stats the same way. The
Red Foxes did do a very good job at picking off the ball, however, with 18 as a
team for 2016. Another safety, Jordyn Jean-Felix has good size and talent to
round out the Red Fox secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Top punter/kicker Mike Maccarone has graduated while Marist’s
two top kick returners are coming back.
The Red Foxes have some weapons, but on paper they look like
the weakest opponent Columbia will face in 2017.
2 comments:
Trap game, beware.
Great time of year to travel upstate. Don't know about Rhinebeck. Too many West Side people like trooping up there. Might as well go to Zabar's. But Marist is an easy ride.
We have to think this is a win.
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