Marist QB duo gets it done

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:18PM

Splitting time at quarterback with fellow junior Luke Oosterbaan, Ryan Meyer knows he has to capitalize on any chance he gets behind center for Marist.

Nowhere was that more evident than Friday night's 27-15 home win against Notre Dame with Meyer running the option for the Redhawks in the second half.

"Me and Luke are really good friends outside of Marist too, and we're always helping each other," Meyer said. "It's hard not playing, but he does certain things well, and I do certain things well."

No. 17 Marist (3-0, 1-0) needed each and every one of Meyer's 80 rushing yards in the second half, including a 22-yard rushing touchdown that all but sealed the victory in the East Suburban Catholic conference opener.

Leading 20-15, Meyer broke free on the left side and found the end zone for the game clincher.

"I felt someone on my back, but I was wide open," Meyer said. "I saw the end zone and hopped in, felt (teammate) Brian O'Shea push me in."

Oosterbaan finished 9-for-21 for 126 yards and two touchdowns while John McKevitt added 44 yards.

Ben Falloon added a 32-yard field goal, his second of the game.

Despite a nine-minute scoring drive in the first quarter, Notre Dame found itself in a 17-9 hole at halftime.

Marist struck first on a Falloon 28-yard field goal early in the first before the Dons marched down the field on an 80-yard drive that saw nine minutes disappear off the clock.

Notre Dame's Tim Whalen found Connor Thomas for a six-yard score in the air.

Following a missed PAT, Marist could not muster any offense, but Brandon Collins recovered a fumble on a Falloon punt to give the Redhawks excellent field position.

Oosterbaan wasted no time finding the end zone on the drive, hitting a wide-open John Caraher on the right side for a 31-yard score.

After the Redhawks defense held Notre Dame's offense down on the next possession, Oosterbaan went to work again.

On an almost identical play as the first touchdown, the junior quarterback found Alex Puhar streaking down the right side.

The 56-yard score put the hosts up 17-6 with five minutes remaining in the second.

Notre Dame's Sam Retzky ended the half with a 31-yard field goal as the Dons trailed 17-9 at the break.

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