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Marietta College strikes early in 54-10 win over Capital

By Jay W. Bennett 5 min read

MARIETTA – Marietta College scored on three of its first four possessions here Saturday afternoon at Don Drumm Stadium as visiting Capital fell behind 35-3 at halftime en route to suffering a 54-10 Ohio Athletic Conference setback.

The Pioneers’ defense, which had six sacks, was on point again and allowed the Comets (0-3, 0-2) just 34 rushing yards on 32 attempts. Conversely, Marietta College (3-0, 2-0) galloped for 356 stripes on 33 totes and finished with a 567-158 advantage in total yards.

“We were able to put some points on the board and keep them in check for the most part,” admitted MC boss Andy Waddle, whose team welcomes in Ohio Northern (3-0, 2-0) at 3 p.m. next Saturday. “There were a few things there. We kicked off a lot and buried them deep a few times, but they had a couple where they got back out to midfield and started on short field position, which is something we want to work on. Overall, really pleased. Had a bunch of different guys making plays, which was really nice.

“Multiple running backs in the end zone. Antwon (Johnson) got in the end zone, which was good as a backup quarterback. It was a fun day. The challenge gets harder as we get more into the season, but so far they’ve done what we’ve asked them to do and, you know, win the line of scrimmage more often than not. We got some good players on both sides of the ball there and they showed up. We’re expecting a really good football team to come here. We’re a good football team, so it should be a good game.”

Marietta College’s Taz Morris, who went for 128 yards on 15 attempts, raced 27 stripes for a first down on the game’s initial play. After taking the next carry for 9 yards, MC signal-caller Conner Vierstra was sacked by Diamonte Salley. Facing a fourth-and-2 at the Comet 20, Morris was stopped for a loss of 2 by Quincy Haines and Jesse Foster.

Capital, which plays host at 1:30 p.m. next Saturday to Heidelberg on homecoming and hall of fame weekend, picked up a first down when Nate Younker hauled in a 16-yard reception from Ben Owens. Facing a fourth-and-5 at the Pioneer 33, the visitors tried to run for it with Kassim Johnson, but he was stopped for a 5-yard loss by Sal Laure and O.C. Nurse.

Vierstra immediately moved the chains when he hooked up with Jay Melchiori for an 11-yard gain. Following a 12-yard completion to Dawson Snyder, who had game-highs of six catches for 82 yards, Morris ran for 8 yards to reach the red zone. On the next play, backfield mate Vante’ Hodges broke two tackles at the 10, managed to keep his balance and darted into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. Derek Cline’s extra point put the hosts ahead for good at the 5:56 mark.

Owens was welcomed back to the field on Capital’s next play by Keshaun Madlock, who sacked him. Brady McManaway also sacked Owens on third down to force a punt.

Pioneer Evan Gandee opened up the ensuing series with a 39-yard grab. Following a 13-yard burst by Hodges, who had seven carries for a game-high 210 yards, Vierstra found Gandee (3-46) on 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 on first down. Vierstra tossed it near the Capital sideline to Melchiori, who hit Morris (3-51) to set up a first-and-goal at the 10. Vierstra scored from the 4 two plays later to make it 21-0.

“Our O-line played a great game,” admitted Vierstra, who was 15 of 20 for 178 yards. “All aspects of our offense were just running solid and that’s what happens when everyone does their job.

“We just got to take it day by day and win everyday, and not focus down the road and just take each day and each week at a time. Plenty of playmakers around. My job is just get them the ball and let them work in space.”

Owens found Wesley Armstead for a 36-yard gain early in the second, which gave the Comets a first-and-goal at the 10. Chance Knight, who registered three sacks, had a strip sack on third down, but Capital recovered as Tyler Terrell’s 34-yard field goal was true, which made it 21-3 with 12:10 remaining in the half.

Harley Hopkins’ sack thwarted any hope for a first down on Capital’s next drive, and the Pioneers watched Hodges house it for a 77-yard score as he hit an outside lane and outraced the Capital defense down the Pioneers’ sideline to the end zone.

Snyder made a leaping and twisting grab on the next MC series for a 28-yard gain. He capped off the first-half scoring when he was all alone in the end zone for a 15-yard TD grab.

Marietta College tacked on a safety just 57 seconds into third when Knight sacked Owens.

“You just got to watch the ball and get off as fast as I could and then hope for the best on that tackle there. I got lucky and got him down by his feet,” Knight admitted.

The Pioneers added a 30-yard field goal by Cline, which was answered by Capital’s lone touchdown thanks to Aaron Gilbert’s 1-yard plunge.

Morris scored on a 3-yard run in the third and Johnson capped the scoring with a 2-yard TD early in the fourth, which was set up by Hodges’ 75-yard burst. Nathaniel Demuth booted MC’s final pair of extra points.

“As a team, you know, I think it’s the most complete game we’ve played,” Knight added. “Everyone looked good. This season is just getting started and there’s plenty more in front of us.

“We just have to keep getting better. The team is closer than ever and we’re just getting closer as the season goes on. We’ll hope for the best in the future.”

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