Ground Game Lifts Marist at Morehead

MOREHEAD, KY – The Marist football team earned its fourth straight Pioneer Football League (PFL) victory 48-21 at Morehead State on Saturday afternoon. The Red Foxes boasted a pair of 100-yard rushers for the first time since in exactly six years, paced by a career high 170 yards and three scores from sophomore Mekhai Johnson. Red-shirt sophomore Darryn Jordan chipped in 101 yards on 15 carries.

After Morehead State scored on its first possession, Marist scored 28 unanswered points to take a three-touchdown lead at the intermission.

Sophomore Mekhai Johnson scored his first three career rushing touchdowns. His first was a one-yard plunge with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter. His second score was an 81-yard dash in the third quarter to give Marist its largest lead of the day.The third closed out the scoring, and came from 19 yards out with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Red-shirt sophomore John Pierce blocked a punt and made the recovery in the end zone to give the Red Foxes their first lead, a 14-7 advantage with 2:31 to play in the opening period.
Red-shirt freshman quarterback Austin Day accounted for Marist’s other three touchdowns.

Day had a three-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He then had passing touchdowns to senior wide receiver Juston Christian (later in the second quarter), and red-shirt junior tight end Jon Kanda (in the third period).