Mansaray runs for 135 yards, 2 TDs and Valparaiso edges Marist 17-14

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- — Mike Mansaray rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and Valparaiso edged Marist 17-14 on Saturday.

The Beacons (3-5, 1/3 Pioneer) had a chance to ice the game when special teams pinned Marist deep in its own territory and the defense held. Then Colin Graves' 23-yard punt return set them up with a short field but but failed on a fourth-and-1 on the Marist 12.

Then the Red Foxes (0-8, 0-5) had a chance to steal the game as they pushed out beyond midfield before pinning Valparaiso on its 7. The defense held and they got the back at midfield with just less than two minutes to go. They picked up a first down but needing one yard at the Valpo 28 they threw long twice to turn the ball over on downs with 50 seconds to go in their Homecoming game.

Mansary's 58-yard burst around the right end gave the Crusaders a 7-0 lead on the first drive of the game.

The Red Foxes came back and tied the game when Tristan Shannon's 1-yard plunge capped a 75-yard drive.

Sonny Mannino hit Will Downes for an 8-yard score to cap a 73-yard drive late in the second quarter to put Marist on top 14-7. But Jeffery Vercher returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield, setting up Mansaray for a tying 4-yard run 18 seconds before halftime.

Valparaiso put together a 72-yard drive and got the winning 25-yard field goal from Ryan Hawk in the closing seconds of the third quarter as defenses dominated the second half.

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