POUGHKEEPSIE — Marist opened its 2026 football season with a 27-18 win over Franklin Pierce Friday night at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field, holding off a fourth-quarter rally in front of 2,863 fans.

I read a great article by Mike Ferraro of Marist College explaining why the Red Foxes took the field in black jerseys for the first time since 2004 — it turns out black was Marist’s home color from 1990 through 2004, a stretch that included the program’s first two league championships and its jump to Division I. Head coach Mike Willis brought the look back to honor that history, saying “Black jerseys connect us to the history of our program.” Friday’s game doubled as a Black Out, with fans asked to wear black and postgame fireworks capping the night at Tenney Stadium.

Quarterback Sonny Mannino did damage both on the ground and through the air, throwing for 203 yards and adding 110 yards rushing to lead a Red Foxes offense that piled up 382 total yards. Zach Garmont led the receiving game.

Marist struck first on a 45-yard rushing touchdown in the opening quarter and carried a 13-6 lead into halftime before extending the margin to 20-6 in the third quarter.

Franklin Pierce didn’t go away quietly. Quarterback Kevin Leal connected with Raj Hillhouse for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, the second cutting the deficit to 27-18 with just over three minutes left, but the Red Foxes’ defense closed out the win from there.

Both teams finished with 20 first downs, but Marist made the plays that mattered down the stretch. 845 Sports Rewind will have more from Marist’s season throughout the fall.