Big Blue trudges its way to a 46-21 victory at Heidelberg

Sept. 17, 2005
TIFFIN, Ohio - The weather was dismal and the play on the field was equally as sloppy Saturday (Sept. 17) afternoon when Marietta College faced host Heidelberg at Frost-Kalnow Stadium. The Pioneers, however, managed to leave town with a 46-21 victory to improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Heidelberg fell to 0-2 (0-1 OAC) on the season.

The Student Princes took an early 6-0 lead, as they followed a Marietta missed field goal with a 13 play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The extra point attempt failed.

Marietta responded four plays later with a 50-yard touchdown scamper by senior sensation Steven Wagner (Harwick, PA/Fox Chapel) to tie the score. A Nick Manson (Canal Fulton/Akron Manchester) extra point gave MC a 7-6 advantage after the first quarter.

The Pioneers didn't wait long to to get back into the end zone, as Wagner blocked Heidelberg's punt on the following possession; sophomore Cody Venderlic (Friendly, WV/St. Marys) picked up the loose ball and proceeded 22 yards for the touchdown to put Marietta ahead 14-6.

Again, it was another Student Prince turnover that led to the next Pioneer score. Junior Lonnie Meyers (Cumberland, MD/Fort Hill) pulled in Marietta's second interception of the afternoon and it was followed four plays later by a 40-yard touchdown pass from junior Jason Vrable (South Park, PA) to Wagner, extending Marietta's lead to 21-6.

Junior Anthony Banks (Colonial Heights, VA/Thomas Dale) set up the final scoring drive of the half with a 34-yard interception return in which he was tackled inside the Heidelberg red zone. An 18-yard Vrable rush on the next play gave the Pioneers a 28-6 advantage entering half time.

The action packed second frame was followed by a relatively uneventful third quarter. The only scoring came on a 25-yard field goal from Manson.

The drama ensued quickly into the fourth quarter, when Heidelberg picked up a fumble by MC's punter Jason Curry (Akron/Springfield) and raced 18 yards to make the score 31-14.

Marietta was forced to punt on its next possession and it was downed on the six-yard line. On the second play of Heidelberg's drive, a player was called for holding in the end zone, which, by rule in college football, resulted in a safety in favor of Marietta. The Pioneers thus improved their lead to 33-14.

The Pioneers extended their lead again four plays after the ensuing free kick, when sophomore quarterback Jeremy Thornton (Madison, WI/East) scored on a 47-yard run to give Marietta a 40-14 advantage.

Heidelberg's defense once again proved to be its best mode of offense with 1:32 to go in the game, as it recovered another Marietta fumble and returned it 42 yards for a score.

The scoring, however, wasn't complete until time expired, because freshman Garrett Banks (Baberton) broke lose as Marietta was trying to run out the clock and didn't stop until he was in the end zone with a 51-yard touchdown.

Marietta finished with 470 yard of offense, while it allowed 304 total yards to be collected by Heidelberg. There was a total of 10 turnovers in the game.

Wagner spearheaded a Pioneer ground game that racked up 313 total yards by rushing for 121 yards and a TD on 17 carries. Sophomore Joe Webb (Monessen, PA/Ringgold) added 18 attempts for 83 yards in his first action of the season.

Vrable, who was given a rest for most of the second half, finished 7-of-12 for 139 yards and a score. He did throw one interception.

Curry and junior Nic North (Madison, WI/East) each pulled in three receptions on the day. Curry also averaged 37.0 yards per punt in the win.

Sophomore Clay Ream (Burbank/Northwestern) led the defense with nine tackles.

Senior Darren Marks (Parkersburg, WV), Banks, Meyers, junior J. J. Wheeler (Zanesville/Maysville) and senior Jeff Sherman (Akron/North) all had an interception in the win.

Marietta now begins its preparation for the John Carroll Blue Streaks, who visit Don Drumm Stadium Saturday (Sept. 24) on MC Football Alumni Day. The Pioneers will attempt to improve to 3-0 and defeat JCU for the first time in history. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.