Junior Chuckie Looney has been named starting quarterback for Marist this season. Coach Jim Parady informed Looney and senior backup Tommy Reilly of his decision on Wednesday. Marist opens the season on Saturday at Bryant.
“It was a very, very close battle,” Parady said. “As we charted all the numbers, it was very close. In the end, I just thought he was a little more dynamic in the last three days of preseason, and that is what separated him out. He came up a little better in the completion percentage and reads … so the consistency was there, just a little more than Tom was in the preseason.”
Parady said he is comfortable with Looney and Reilly, both of whom saw starting action last year. Looney started the 2011 season over the incumbent Reilly but was replaced early in the season. Looney later injured himself in a relief role and Reilly started the rest of the season.
In a piece of injury news, slated running back starter Atiq Lucas injured his hand and may be out for a while. Max Jacques should step into his place, and Parady said he plans on utilizing four running backs in most games, led by fifth-year senior Calvin McCoy.
