Keith Mitchell

In his first two seasons as a Red Fox, Mitchell evolved into a versatile back, third on the team in all-purpose yards and third in scores with four touchdowns.

This season, Mitchell has continued to rack up the yards, returning eight kickoffs for 155 yards, catching 12 passes for 90 yards and rushing for a team-leading 395. Unfortunately for Marist, itchell has not found the end zone as frequently as he did last season: He has only scored once this year. The Red Foxes have only scored 18 touchdowns in eight games this season but tacked on five of those scores in a losing effort against Sacred Heart (Conn.) two weeks ago.

Marist has very few offensive weapons – they have thrown more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10) and have more lost fumbles (nine) than rushing touchdowns (eight) – but Mitchell has the potential to make plays on offense or returning kicks. Last week against Fordham, he rushed 11 times for 107 yards, including a 29-yard outburst. He also had two catches for 11 yards.

Mitchell and the rest of the Red Foxes have moved the ball this year, averaging nearly 325 yards per game but their propensity to turn the ball over has prevented them from scoring points. Georgetown’s injury-riddled defense may give Marist the opportunity to finally put points on the board with all of the yards they accumulate. But Marist has serious defensive problems of its own.

Dan Sullivan

A 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive lineman, Sullivan is tied for the team lead with four sacks. He also has 45 tackles, good for fifth on the team.

The Red Foxes have not stopped opposing offenses this year – most 1-8 teams do not – and are giving up nearly 33 points and 390 yards per game. Teams are averaging 15 yards per pass against the Red Fox secondary and 5.1 yards per rush against the defensive line.

Sullivan leads a thin D-line corps with sophomore Tony Riley as the next highest tackler on the line with 24. The entire defense has 17 sacks and five forced fumbles on the record this year. Last week, Sullivan had six tackles against Fordham in his team’s 33-0 loss to the Rams. As poorly as Georgetown’s defense has played at times this season, Marist’s has taken its licks as well. With teams rushing for 200 yards per game on the Red Fox defensive line and linebackers, Sullivan will have his hands full, with little help at either side.

If some combination of Georgetown’s running threats – Charlie Houghton, Kyle Van Fleet and Matt Bassuener – can find a rhythm, it will be a long day for the Marist defense.