Marietta College quarterback Connor Viertsra (7) pitches the ball to teammate Dawson Snyder (1) during a game against Ohio Northern earlier this season at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Two of the top teams in the country will square off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday when No. 22 Marietta College takes on No. 3 Mount Union at Kehres Stadium.

The Pioneers are off to the first 8-0 start in program history, but the schedule certainly ramps up this week.

The Purple Raiders are a perennial powerhouse and have not lost to an Ohio Athletic Conference opponent since 2016.

This year’s team is continuing the tradition. Mount is 8-0 and has outscored opponents 391-93.

“We know the history with Mount Union,” said Marietta head coach Andy Waddle. “They’re a good football team. Our preparation is the same every week — it just so happens we have an opponent this week that’s won 29 of the last 30 conference championships and a bunch of national championships. Still, our preparation has been exactly the same. The team Mount Union has is 8-0 and the team Marietta has is 8-0. We’re not playing the 1993 Mount Union team. We’re playing the 2024 Mount Union team and they’re playing the 2024 Marietta team.”

The Purple Raiders, coached by fifth-year man Geoff Dart, are led offensively by quarterback Noah Beaudrie. Beaudrie has completed 68.5% of his passes for 1,653 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions. A dual threat, Beaudrie, a 6-foot junior, also has rushed 92 times for 482 yards and five TDs.

He has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, including Nick Turner (23 catches, 578 yards, five TDs), Tyrell Sanders (21 catches, 335 yards, four TDs) and Jerry Cooper Jr. (26 catches, 331 yards, two TDs).

Mount Union’s run game is led by Tyler Echeverry, who has 90 carries for 843 yards (9.4 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns. When he’s needed a breather, Darnell Williams (51 carries, 428 yards, five TDs) has been more than effective.

“They have a dynamic quarterback who can make things happen with his feet and his arm,” Waddle said. “They’ve got a big, strong, veteran offensive line. They’ve got some really fast, athletic running backs that do a great job and some talented wide receivers. It’ll be a big task for our defense.”

The Purple Raiders are just as good defensively as they’ve allowed just 11.6 points per game (16th in country). It starts with their front seven — defensive lineman Von Factor (6 1/2 sacks) and bandits Rossy Moore (six sacks, 13 1/2 tackles for loss) and Kaleb Brown (8 1/2 sacks, 12 TFLs) have been the ultimate disruptors.

“Our offense is going to see a great defensive line that’s really good at rushing the passer,” Waddle said. “They’re athletic in the secondary and good at linebacker. They’re just a good football team.”

The Purple Raiders also have a weapon in kicker Ivan Maric, who is 7 for 11 on field goals and has made a 51-yarder.

Marietta has plenty of weapons of its own. The Pioneers have the 14th best scoring offense (47.1 ppg) in the country and the second best scoring defense (7.5 ppg).

Quarterback Connor Vierstra is 134 for 194 this season for 1,830 yards, 20 touchdowns and four picks. Dawson Snyder set a school record last week when he caught his ninth TD pass of the season. He has 56 receptions for 717 yards. Jay Melchiori has added 33 catches, 581 yards and five TDs.

The running back tandem of Taz Morris (99 carries, 601 yards, seven TDs) and Vante’ Hodges (67 carries, 554 yards, seven TDs) has given the Pioneers strong balance on offense.

A huge key for the MC offense has been the performance of the offensive line — left tackle Brayden Adams, left guard David Busch, center Seth Wallace, right guard Nate Curry and right tackle Brady Shildwachter.

“The majority of that group returned from last year,” Waddle said. “You really notice the difference from where they were a year ago to where they are now. Coach (Peter) Nank has done a tremendous job with that group. There’s talented players in there, and guys have continued to get better this year. It’s going to be a tall order this week not only to be able to run the ball, but also to protect the quarterback.”

Defensively, Marietta’s Chance Knight is tied for third in the country with 11 sacks. Knight also has 15 tackles for loss. Linebacker Harley Hopkins has a team-high 65 total tackles, including 10 for a loss and 5 1/2 sacks, while Jake Visnic has recorded five sacks.

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.