MARIETTA – Marietta College scored on three of its first four possessions Saturday afternoon at Dondrum Stadium, but the visiting Capitals trailed 35-3 at halftime and trailed Ohio 54-10. They suffered a come-from-behind loss in the Athletic Conference.
The Pioneers’ defense was strong again with six sacks, allowing the Comets (0-3, 0-2) just 34 rushing yards on 32 attempts. Conversely, Marietta College (3-0, 2-0) rushed the 356 stripe on 33 totes and finished with a 567-158 advantage in total yards.
“We were able to score some points and hold it in for the most part.” MC boss Andy Waddle admitted. The team will play Ohio Northern (3-0, 2-0) next Saturday at 3 p.m. “There were a few things there. We kicked off a few times and buried them deep, but there were a few moments where they went back to midfield and started in a short-field position. That’s what I want to work on. Overall, I’m really satisfied. I’m really glad that so many people worked on the play.
“Multiple running backs in the end zone. Antwon (Johnson) got in the end zone and was good as a backup quarterback. It was a fun day. As the season goes on the challenge gets harder, but so far , they did what we asked them to do and, you know, we mostly won at the line of scrimmage, where we had some good players on both sides of the ball and they showed up and played really good football. I’m looking forward to the team coming here. We’re a good soccer team, so it should be a good game.”
Marietta College’s Taz Morris gained 128 yards on 15 attempts and grabbed the 27 stripe for a first down on the first play of the game. After gaining 9 yards on the next carry, MC signal caller Connor Viastra was sacked by Diamonte Saleh. Facing 4-2 at Comet 20, Morris was stopped by Quincy Haynes and Jesse Foster, giving him two losses.
The Capitals will play Heidelberg next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Homecoming and Hall of Fame weekend, but Nate Yonker gets a first down on a 16-yard reception from Ben Owens. Facing a fourth-and-5 at the Pioneer 33, the visitors went for it with Kasim Johnson, but he was stopped by Sal Rohr and OC Nurse for a 5-yard loss.
Biestra hooked up with Jay Melchiorri and immediately moved the chains for an 11-yard gain. Morris ran 8 yards to reach the red zone after Dawson Snyder had a game-high six catches for 82 yards and completed 12 yards. On the next play, backfield mate Vante Hodges broke two tackles in his 10th at-bat and somehow managed to keep his balance and run into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. Derek Klein’s extra point gave the hosts the lead for good at the 5:56 mark.
Owens returned to the field on the Capitals’ next play and was welcomed by Keshawn Madlock, who sacked him. Brady McManaway also sacked Owens on third down, forcing him to punt.
Evan Gundy of the Pioneers made a 39-yard grab to spark the ensuing series. After Hodges gained a game-high 210 yards on seven carries and had a 13-yard burst, Viastra found Gundy (3-46) from a slant for a 3-yard TD strike.
MC’s defense forced a quick three-and-out and took over at the Comet 39. Coach Waddle reached into his bag of tricks and opted for a double pass for a first down. Viestra tossed it to Melchiorri near the Capital sideline, and Melchiorri hit Morris (3-51), setting up the first run in the 10th inning. Viestra scored on four plays two plays later to make it 21-0.
“Our O-line played a great game.” Biestra admitted, going 15 of 20 for 178 yards. “Every aspect of our offense was solid, and that’s what happens when everyone does their job.
“We just have to take it one day at a time and win every day and not focus on the middle, just take each day and week at a time. We have a lot of playmakers around us. ‘s job is just to give them the ball and let them work in space.”
Owens found Wesley Armstead early in the second for a 36-yard gain to give the Comets a first-and-goal at 10. Chance Knight, who had three sacks, was strip-sacked on third down, but the Capitals recovered as Tyler. Terrell’s 34-yard field goal made it 21-3 with 12:10 left in the first half.
A sack of Harley Hopkins ended the Capitals’ hopes for a first down on their next drive. The Pioneers watched as Hodges hit the outside lane and outran the Capital defense from the Pioneers sideline to the end zone for a 77-yard score.
Snyder made a jump-and-twist grab on his next MC series for a 28-yard gain. He was left alone in the end zone and made a 15-yard TD grab to cap off the scoring in the first half.
Marietta College had a safety on third with just 57 seconds left when Knight sacked Owens.
“You just see the ball, get down as quickly as possible and hope for a good tackle there. I was lucky enough to be able to pull him to his feet.” Knight admitted.
The Pioneers responded with Klein adding a 30-yard field goal and the Capitals’ only touchdown on Aaron Gilbert’s 1-yard dive.
Morris scored on a 3-yard run in the third, and Johnson capped off the scoring with a 2-yard TD early in the fourth, set up by Hodges’ 75-yard burst. Nathaniel Demas scored MC’s final extra point.
“As a team, I think it was the most complete game we’ve ever played.” the knight added. “Everyone looked great. This season has just started and there’s a lot more to come.
“We just have to keep improving. The team is closer than ever and getting even closer as the season progresses. We look forward to the best in the future.”