Pioneers roll over Student Princes 31-8 in OAC opener

Sept. 19, 2004
TIFFIN, Ohio - On a weekend that brought little good news for Marietta College and the Marietta community, the Pioneer football team delivered some positive energy with a 31-8 victory over Heidelberg.

The Pioneers (2-0) were forced to postpone and relocate their contest with the Student Princes because of the flooding in the mid-Ohio valley caused by hurricane Ivan. As a result, Marietta's team left town late Saturday afternoon and arrived in Tiffin Sunday morning.

Marietta took control of the tempo from the opening kickoff with a eight-play, 47-yard drive, capped off by a Jason Vrable (South Park, PA) 10-yard touchdown run to put MC up 7-0.

A 18-yard field goal by senior Bobby Lemasters (Winfield, WV) triggered a 17-point second quarter for the Pioneers, who led at the half 24-0.

Vrable added another touchdown with a 1-yard run and Steven Wagner (Harwick, PA/Fox Chapel) scored his first of two touchdowns, a 16-yard score, in the second frame.

After a scoreless third quarter, Heidelberg finally found the end zone on a 59-yard pass from Steve West (Huron) to Branden Parker (Sidney) with 14:53 left to play. MC capped the scoring at the 10-minute mark when Wagner broke free for a 60-yard score. Lemasters' kick gave the Pioneers a 31-8 lead, which became the final, as Marietta extended its win streak to three games, including last year's win over Muskingum.

Marietta finished with 483 yards of total offense, while holding Heidelberg to 242. The Pioneers took advantage of their time in the red zone, scoring on four-of-five opportunities.

Wagner collected a career-high 258 yards on the ground and had two touchdowns. Vrable finished 13-of-17 for 108 yards through the air. He also rushed for 20 yards and two scores.

Freshman Shawn Ellies (Wilkinsburg, PA/Schenley) added14 carries for 54 yards and fellow freshman Jeremy Thornton (Madison, WI/East Senior) completed 3-of-5 passes for 17 yards.

Senior Mike Valiante (Wadsworth) pulled in seven receptions for 53 yards, bringing his career total to 130 catches, 21 receptions shy of MC's career record.

Freshman Chad McDaniel (Wooster/Triway) added four grabs for 26 yards in the win.

Defensively, Marietta held Heidelberg to 68 yards on the ground and collected seven sacks for 37 yards.

Anthony Huffman (Lowell/Marietta) , Thadd Sharrett (Circleville), J. J. Wheeler (Zanesvillle) and Eric Workman (Vienna, WV/Parkersburg) each finished with a team-high six tackles. Huffman added two sacks for 17 yards.

Pete Hashman (St. Marys, WV) also had two sacks for MC in the victory, while senior Brett Munn (Newbury) also picked off his third pass of the season.

West finished 11-of-27 passing for 174 yards. Brett Hastings (Sullivan/Black River) was the leading rusher for Heidelberg with 20 carries for 40 yards.

Jeff Stiffler (Crestline) led Heidelberg with 16 tackles in the loss.

The Pioneers will look to continue their streak Saturday (Sept. 25) against John Carroll (0-2). Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. in University Heights.