Football Wins Thriller at Marist on Last-Minute Score and Defensive Stand

MOREHEAD, Ky. –– Mark Pappas connected with receiver Matt Guilfoil on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 left at Marist Saturday to cap a 76-yard drive, and the Morehead State defense halted the Red Foxes on their last possession as MSU won a thriller, 27-24, at Tenney Stadium.

The Eagles stayed perfect in the Pioneer League at 4-0, only the program’s second-ever 4-0 start and first since 2002. It also the third win in four tried for MSU at Marist in the series.

Pappas completed seven passes on the final drive, including the game-winner to Guilfoil who caught it at the five-yard line and spun his way across the pile-on. Pappas finished the day 32-of-52 for 396 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver BJ Byrd had his fifth 100-yard ame of 2021 with 113 yards and also scored his ninth TD of the season.

The defense limited the Red Fox offense to only 302 yards. Marist drove down and scored a go-ahead TD with 4:41 remaining to take a 24-21 lead.

Tight end Matt DeBlaiso also grabbed a touchdown early in the fourth period as the Eagles jockeyed back and forth with marist and took a 20-17 advantage with 12:49 left.

MSU reached the scoreboard first, cashing in on a one-yard plunge by running back Issiah Aguero to lead 6-0 with 11:29 left in the first half. Marist answered with a 32-yard rushing touchdown and a 39-yard FG to take a 10-6 lead. But Pappas and Byrd hooked up for a 25-yard score with 53 seconds left in the first half.

Linebacker Vincent Winey had a monster game on defense, totaling 12 tackles and two sacks for a loss of 29 yards. Vaughn Taylor, Jr., also had another tackle for loss and a sack.

Defensive back Khiyree Keith picked off a pass for third consecutive game.

Morehead State rolled up 451 total yards.

The Eagles return to Jayne Stadium next weekend when they host PFL foe Davidson at 2 p.m. ET.Print Friendly Version

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Team Statistics

Game StatsMSUMAR
Total Yards451302
Pass Yards396202
Rushing Yards55100
Penalty Yards12-1153-15
1st Downs2623
3rd Downs9-166-12
4th Downs2-20-1
TOP31:3628:24
1ST QUARTER
MSU11:29 – MSU – Aguero,Issiah 1 yd run ( ), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:2760
MAR06:56 – MAR – Day,Austin 32 yd run (Paladino,Luke kick), 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 04:2767
2ND QUARTER
MAR12:14 – MAR – Paladino,Luke 39 yd field goal 10 plays, 54 yards, TOP 04:37610
MSU00:53 – MSU – Byrd,BJ 25 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 6 plays, 42 yards, TOP 02:311310
3RD QUARTER
MAR12:43 – MAR – Menders,Dwayne 25 yd pass from Day,Austin (Paladino,Luke kick) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:091317
4TH QUARTER
MSU12:29 – MSU – DeBlaiso,Matt 18 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:552017
MAR04:41 – MAR – Johnson,Mekhai 1 yd run (Paladino,Luke kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:592024
MSU01:02 – MSU – Guilfoil,Matt 25 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 12 plays, 76 yards, TOP 03:322724

Game Leaders

Choose a category:         Passing Leaders         Rushing Leaders         Receiving Leaders         Defense Leaders     

PAPPAS,MARK

#14 Pappas,Mark

  • CMP 32
  • TD 3
  • YDS 396
  • INT 0

Players Mentioned

#23 Issiah Aguero

RB 5′ 11″ 211 lbs Senior

#1 BJ Byrd

WR 6′ 0″ 190 lbs Senior

#15 Matt Guilfoil

WR 6′ 2″ 215 lbs Redshirt Sophomore

#13 Khiyree Keith

DB 6′ 0″ 188 lbs Junior

#14 Mark Pappas

QB 6′ 2″ 213 lbs Redshirt Junior

#7 Vaughn Taylor, Jr.

DL 6′ 3″ 252 lbs Senior

#42 Vincent Winey

LB 6′ 1″ 230 lbs Senior

#89 Matt DeBlaiso

TE 6′ 4″ 235 lbs Graduate Student