Marist earned its first victory of the season Friday, using three touchdowns from quarterback Sonny Mannino and a balanced offensive effort to defeat Franklin Pierce 27-18 at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field.

PFL Scoreboard: Week 2

Thursday, September 3
Morehead State def. Kentucky Christian, 75-24

Friday, September 4
Marist def. Franklin Pierce, 27-18

PFL Recaps: Friday, September 4

Marist def. Franklin Pierce, 27-18

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Sonny Mannino rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score as Marist defeated Franklin Pierce 27-18 Friday at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field for its first victory of the season.

Mannino opened the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter before Franklin Pierce cut the lead to 6-3 on Adoni Santos’ 31-yard field goal. Mannino answered by finding Marco Lainez III for a 2-yard touchdown, and Santos’ 22-yard field goal sent Marist into halftime with a 13-6 advantage. Lincoln Cardillo’s 1-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 67-yard drive in the third quarter and extended the Red Foxes’ lead to 20-6.

Franklin Pierce pulled within 20-12 when Kevin Leal connected with Raj Hillhouse for a 28-yard touchdown with 9:20 remaining. Marist needed just three plays to respond, with Mannino breaking free for a 26-yard touchdown that restored a 15-point advantage. Leal and Hillhouse connected again for a 5-yard score with 3:23 left, but the two-point conversion failed.

Mannino completed 16 of 25 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown and led Marist with 110 rushing yards. Zach Garmont had three catches for 64 yards, while Cardillo rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown. Leal threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns for Franklin Pierce, with both scores going to Hillhouse. Marist outgained the Ravens 382-270 and converted seven of 10 third downs.