MARIETTA, Ohio — Quarterback Connor Vierstra ran for two touchdowns and passed for another to lead Marietta College to a 50-0 victory over visiting Otterbein University Saturday (Sept. 23) afternoon at Don Drumm Stadium. The Pioneers improve to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Otterbein falls to 0-4 on the season and 0-3 in the OAC.
"I think today was a great program win. We were able to play some second and third team guys in the fourth quarter and they stood in there and got the job done," Marietta head coach Andy Waddle said. "Obviously, there are things that we still need to improve on. We gave up over 300 yards of offense and offensively we wanted to be more efficient with our running game. But there is more to be excited about than be upset with."
Jake Visnic forced an Otterbein fumble that Brady Panucci recovered on the Cardinal 15-yard line. Marietta needed just one play to grab the lead as Vierstra ran the ball in for the first score of the game. The point after was wide right making it 6-0 with 11:39 left in the first quarter.
The Pioneers forced Otterbein to punt on their next possession and put the ball in play at the Marietta 27-yard line. Following a 10-yard run by Vierstra, the Pioneer quarterback connected with Jay Melchiori on a 52-yard completion down to the Cardinal 11-yard line.
Two short runs by Bryce Agnew left MC with a third down and six. Vierstra called his own number once again and dove in for his second touchdown of the game. Matthew Gossett added the point after for a 13-0 Pioneer lead.
"Connor (Vierstra) ran the ball as well as I can ever remember," Waddle said. "And that makes it harder to defend when you are going against a quarterback that can beat you with his feet as well as his arm."
Gossett added a 40-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the first quarter giving Marietta a 16-0 lead heading into the second period.
Marietta extended its lead to 29-0 in the second quarter. Agnew scored on a 2-yard run and Dawson Snyder found the endzone on a 34-yard pass from Vierstra.
The Pioneers scored three more times in the second half. Agnew scored on a 33-yard run for the only points of the third quarter. Marietta showed its depth at running back in the fourth quarter. Vante' Hodges scored on a 26-yard run and Zion Jackson-Wilborn finished the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown carry.
Vierstra completed 13-of-22 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown. He ran the ball five times for 34 yards and two scores. Agnew finished with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Jackson-Wilborn had 12 carries for 61 yards and a score, while Hodges carried the ball three times for 33 yards and one touchdown.
Snyder finished with four catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. Melchiori had the one catch for 52 yards, while John Sierputowski had two receptions for 43 yards.
Harley Hopkins led the Pioneer defense with 10 tackles including 1.0 sach and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Defensive lineman Isaiah McCartney had 2.0 tackles for a loss, including 1.0 sack, and also had an interception and return for 24-yards.
Otterbein quarterback Eason Hardouin completed 18-of-39 passes for 194 yards. He was intercepted twice. Armani Burton caught nine passes for 104 yards. Vincent Berardi had six catches for 85 yards. Ahjay Cody led the Cardinal rushing attack carrying the ball 11 times for 33 yards.
Marietta travels to Berea next Saturday (Sept. 30) for a 2:00 p.m. game at Baldwin Wallace.