Marino Honored As CSFL Offensive Player of the Week
West Point, N.Y. - (10/4/2016) – Throwing for three touchdowns and running for another in Chestnut Hill College’s 29-24 Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) victory over Cornell University last Friday night, freshman quarterback Michael Marino (Blue Bell, Pa.) was recognized as the CSFL Offensive Player of the Week. The Scarlet and Gold play caller was 21-for-38 (55.2 %) for 272 yards through the air and also served as the Griffins’ leading rusher with 17 yards on four carries (4.25 yards/carry).
Chestnut Hill College used Marino’s determination and a superb defensive effort to top the Big Red in Friday night’s, rain-soaked, CSFL home opener at the Plymouth Whitemarsh Football Stadium. Chestnut Hill College (1-1, 1-1 CSFL) struck first, scoring on their second possession of the game on a two-yard Marino run with 8:59 left to play in the first quarter. A kick from freshman Dante Fuchs (Sinking Springs, Pa.) on the point after was good, putting the hosts up 7-0. The Griffins would score again on their next possession, with Fuchs kicking a 26-yard field goal to make the score 10-0.
After forcing Cornell University (1-2, 1-2 CSFL) to punt early in the second quarter, the Scarlet and Gold marched down the field, using a five-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Marino to freshman wide receiver Lew Roman (Randallstown, Md.) to go up 16-0 with 6:13 remaining in the first half. Unfortunately, the Big Red struck back, scoring twice before halftime to send the teams into the locker room with Chestnut Hill College clinging to a 16-14 advantage.
Following a scoreless third quarter the teams battled hard in the fourth, with the outcome being decided late in the contest. With the Big Red setting up for a short field goal attempt, the Griffin defense broke through, blocking the kick and recovering on the visitor’s 26-yard line. Following a first-down play for no gain, Marino contributed on his third score of the game when he hit sophomore wide receiver Reginald Robinson Jr. (Germantown, Md.) with a 26-yard touchdown pass that put Chestnut Hill College up 23-14 after a Fuchs extra point. The Big Red would respond, scoring a touchdown off a nine-yard pass from Pannullo to sophomore wider receiver Alexander Furman (New York, N.Y.) and a field goal from 26-yards out to make the score 24-23 with 5:10 remaining in the game. Again, Marino played hero, hitting Robinson Jr. again, this time for a 33-yard score to put the hosts up 29-24. The Big Red would start one of their last drives of the contest with 2:50 remaining in the game, but a timely interception by the Griffins’ secondary would all but seal deal. With the defense riding high, the Griffins were able to stop the Big Red on a fourth down and run out the final 1:38 to emerge victorious.
Chestnut Hill College continues CSFL play when they travel to Post University for the second-annual CACC Bowl on October 8. The opening kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.
