What Is 2019 Marist Red Foxes football team

Overview

The 2019 Marist Red Foxes football team represented Marist College in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL). Competing in their 19th season under head coach Jim Parady, the team aimed to improve on their previous year’s 3–8 record and regain competitiveness in conference play.

The Red Foxes showed moderate improvement in 2019, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in PFL games. While they narrowly missed a winning season, the team demonstrated resilience in close contests and continued to develop young talent across key positions.

• Record: The team finished 5–6 overall and 4–4 in Pioneer Football League play, marking a two-win improvement from 2018.
• Head Coach: Jim Parady, in his 17th season at the helm, continued to emphasize disciplined, run-oriented football and player development.
• Home Field: The Red Foxes played their home games at Tenney Stadium, a 4,000-seat facility located on the Marist College campus in Poughkeepsie, New York.
• Key Victory: A 27–20 win over St. Thomas (MN) in October was a highlight, showcasing improved defensive execution and balanced offensive production.
• Offensive Stats: The team averaged 23.5 points per game, led by quarterback Rob Martin, who threw for 1,784 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2019 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, illustrating both progress and areas needing improvement. The Red Foxes played a non-conference schedule that tested their readiness before entering the competitive PFL slate.

• Non-Conference Play: Opened the season with losses to Duquesne (24–21) and St. Francis (PA) (27–24), both decided by a touchdown or less.
• Conference Start: Earned their first PFL win with a 24–17 victory over Butler in late September, fueled by a strong second-half defensive stand.
• Defensive Effort: Linebacker Jack Donohue recorded 87 tackles, the highest on the team, and earned Second Team All-PFL honors.
• Special Teams: Kicker Michael Granieri converted 8 of 11 field goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards against Dayton.
• Season Finale: Closed the year with a 31–21 loss to Davidson, finishing just outside the PFL’s upper tier in the final standings.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 Marist Red Foxes compared to select PFL peers in key statistical categories:

The table highlights Marist’s middle-of-the-pack performance in the PFL. While they were competitive, scoring margin and red-zone efficiency kept them from climbing higher. Davidson emerged as the league’s top team, underscoring the gap between contenders and mid-tier squads like Marist.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a transitional year that laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the PFL. Though not a championship-caliber campaign, it provided valuable experience for a developing roster and coaching staff.

• Player Development: Young quarterbacks and defensive backs gained critical game reps, setting the stage for 2020 and beyond.
• Recruiting Momentum: Competitive performances against strong PFL teams helped bolster recruiting efforts in the Northeast region.
• Conference Relevance: A .500 PFL record kept Marist relevant in league standings and scheduling discussions.
• Fan Engagement: Close games and improved attendance at Tenney Stadium signaled growing local interest in the program.
• Program Stability: Jim Parady’s long tenure provided continuity, rare in modern college football.
• Future Outlook: The 2019 season set expectations for a potential breakout in 2020, though the pandemic disrupted those plans.

Overall, the 2019 Marist Red Foxes served as a bridge between rebuilding years and a potential resurgence, reflecting steady progress in a competitive FCS conference.