Coming into last Friday night’s game, both Naz and Marist knew they were headed for an offensive shootout: Nazareth had outscored their first two opponents 86-12, and Marist 83-40. As foretold, both teams put up a game that would give any defensive coordinator nightmares, with 11 total touchdowns scored (not counting field goals) and both teams totalling over 500 yards of offense each.

Electing to receive, Marist started off the game with an efficient, 10 play drive to carry them 72 yards to an eventual 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ahmad Niel (extra point no good, Marist up 6-0). Running back Peter Andreotti, a Purdue wrestling commit, immediately displayed his workhorse-like role for Marist on the drive, taking 6 of his 33 carries on the night for 29 yards. The next possessions for both teams were riddled with defensive stops, but the Roadrunners quickly bounced back, scoring on a Dan Bakovich 5-yard touchdown run on their very next drive. They too missed the extra point, tying the game at 6 apiece.

However, the tie was short-lived, as Marist’s Jake Donegan threw his second touchdown pass of the night, a 69-yarder to wideout Flynn Nagel. Nagel, a 3-star prospect per ESPN, has racked up multiple offers from NCAA Division 1 schools, including Illinois, Indiana and Northern Illinois. To make up for the last extra point miss, the Red Hawks converted for a 2-point conversion, putting them up 14-6 in the 1st quarter.

However, Nazareth’s defense came out on the field almost as quickly as they left, as running back Ivory Kelly-Martin lost a fumble on the second play of the drive. Though they forced Marist to punt four plays later, the fair catch was muffed by standout receiver Doug Difusco, a rare but costly mistake. Marist recovered and scored on the next play, a Peter Andreotti 7-yard run. Marist again missing the extra point, they led 20-6 in a game starting to become riddled with turnovers, penalties and mental mistakes on both sides of the ball.

Nazareth was able to get things going again in the second quarter, with the Roadrunners running their way down the field and converting on a 37-yard field goal by Michael Hillsman. Through this point in the game, Nazareth had run the ball 18 of their 26 plays, quickly establishing a sharp contrast to Marist’s pass-happy offense. However, Marist’s offense didn’t even have to come on the field for the next drive, as Flynn Nagel returned the kickoff 97 yards for the touchdown. He also converted the 2-point conversion, putting the Red Hawks at a comfortable 28-9 lead.

After a Nazareth punt and Marist interception, the Roadrunners started to make things more interesting with an 80-yard drive capped by a Cyle Tucker 3-yard rush touchdown. On the drive, receiver Doug Difusco displayed his dominance from the slot, taking a short pass from Jake Bartels for 57 yards into opponent territory, standing as Nazareth’s longest passing play of the night.

Receiving the ball at the half, Nazareth was able to find their way back into the end zone, scoring on an Ivory Kelly-Martin 3-yard run to make the score 28-23. Nazareth ran eleven of fourteen plays on the drive, an unsurprising stat considering how well their no-huddle, run-heavy offense was catching Marist off-guard. Once down 20-6 a quarter and a half ago, the Roadrunners finally got their high-powered run offense running smoothly, putting Marist up only 28-23 to start the third quarter.

A recovered onside kick by Nazareth electrified both the team and student section, bringing life back into a team that was predicted to lose badly by many. Nazareth again executed in a crucial moment, with Ivory Kelly-Martin running the ball in for his second score of the game. A 2-point conversion put the Roadrunners up by three, at 31-28.

Marist again responded with a Peter Andreotti score, a player who kept producing despite an astoundingly high number of carries. Nazareth was unable to convert on their next drive, tossing an interception that again led to another Andreotti score – his third of the night.

The Roadrunners looked done, but were certainly not ready to give up just yet. Return man Doug Difusco took the opening kickoff deep into Marist territory, leading to a 4th-and-1 situation on the 25 to make or break the game. Nazareth got all they needed and more with a 25-yard Cyle Tucker touchdown run, putting the Roadrunners within a one-score reach at 42-37 (2-point conversion no good). Memories of Nazareth’s 33-20 stunner at Marist in 2011 flashed through the heads of numerous Red Hawks fans, almost cringing at the thought of former Nazareth running back Rudy Romagnano torching them for 238 total yards and 4 touchdowns. With the backing of their incredible student section, the Roadrunners held Marist to a field goal on their next drive, putting them in a one score game with 5 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter. On the drive, Nazareth commanded their way down the field, getting running help by Chris Simmons, Dan Bakovich, and Julian Love. After a few big first downs, and helping penalty yards from Marist, the Roadrunners were put in a 4th-and-11 situation with 1:00 left in the game. With both crowds on their feet, quarterback Jake Bartels dropped back and fired a high, sailing pass to Doug Difusco that unfortunately fell incomplete, ultimately ending the game for both teams at 45-37, with Marist getting the win.

Despite the rivalry, both teams commanded the respect of the other after battling such a hard-fought game that will help both teams develop over the season. Both sitting at 2-1, the Roadrunners and Red Hawks have much to look forward to this season – and with undefeated, #6 state-ranked Joliet Catholic coming to La Grange Park next week, Nazareth is expected to bring their high level of play yet again for another chance at dethroning a top opponent.

Top Players, Nazareth:

RB/WR Chris Simmons – 106 total yards on 13 carries, 1 reception

RB Cyle Tucker – 8 carries, 69 yds, 2 TD

RB Ivory Kelly-Martin – 18 carries, 93 yds, 2 TD, fumble

Top Players, Marist:

RB Peter Andreotti – 33 carries, 166 yds, 3 TD, fumble

QB Jake Donegan – 23-30, 236 yds, 2 TD/2 INT