BIg Blue looks to disrupt Capital's Homecoming Saturday
Marietta (2-2, 1-2 OAC) at Capital (2-2, 1-2 OAC)
1:30 p.m. • Saturday, Oct. 8 • Bernlohr Stadium

Oct. 6, 2005
MARIETTA, Ohio - The 2005 Marietta College football schedules hits the midway point of the season this week when the Pioneers travel to Columbus to take on the Capital Crusaders in their Homecoming game Saturday (Oct. 8). Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Bernlohr Stadium.

Here is a look at both teams:

CAPITAL UNIVERSITY: For the third straight week, Marietta's opponent is looking to rebound from a loss to Mount Union. This time, it is Capital, who fell 42-33 to the Purple Raiders on Saturday (Oct. 1). The Crusaders held a 17-14 lead after three quarters, but Mount scored three touchdowns in three straight offensive plays to take the lead and secure the win.

Capital averages 39.5 points per game, second best in the OAC behind Mount Union. The Crusaders rank fourth in both rushing (162.5 ypg) and passing (241.5 ypg) this season. Capital has scored a 19 of the 20 times it has been in the red zone and leads the league in third down conversions, converting 30-of-52 chances.

Individually, junior standout Rocky Pentello leads the Crusader offense from under center. He has completed 85-of-120 (.708) passes for 945 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Senior Collin O'Reilly is the team's leading rusher with 52 carries for 251 yards and four touchdowns. He had a career-high 23 carries for 82 yards Saturday against the Purple Raiders.

Pentello's favorite receiver this season has been senior Lewis Howes, who has pulled in a team-best 18 receptions for 219 yards this fall. Three other wide outs have at least 15 catches for the Crusaders.

The Capital defense has allowed just 14.8 points per game in 2005. It ranks third against the run, allowing 71.8 yards per game, and is sixth against the pass, surrendering 198.2 yards per contest.

Senior safety Thomas Hausler leads the team in tackles with 29, 27 of them have been solo. Senior Joel Sickmeier and sophomore Matt Coleman have each added 21 stops this season.

Marietta College: After starting the season 2-0 the Pioneers have lost their last two games and have a tough road ahead of them, as they face Capital Saturday (Oct. 8) with Mount Union looming on Oct. 15.

Marietta is looking to rebound from a tough 31-17 home loss to Otterbein last week. The Cardinals capitalized on Marietta mistakes to break a 17-17 halftime tie with two second half touchdowns to secure the victory.

The Pioneers offense enters the week ranked fifth overall in the OAC, averaging 375.8 yards per game. The continue to have the league's best rushing attack, compiling 201.8 yards per contest. Marietta is fourth in third down conversion, moving the chains 27-of-62 (.435) opportunities. The Pioneers are also 10-of-13 in the red zone this season.

Senior Steven Wagner is still averaging 103.8 yards per game, even though he has been held under 100 yards in each of the last two contests. He has now compiled 2,750 yards in 34 career games.

Junior Jason Vrable completed 38-of-74 passes for 645 yards and four touchdowns this season. He has also rushed for 90 yards and a score.

Junior Nic North leads the team with 11 receptions for 148 yards, while junior Jason Curry has added 10 catches for 203 yards a two scores, both against Otterbein last week.

The Pioneers defense is led by sophomore Brian Hahn, who has 32 tackles, including 19 solo. His 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks leads the team. In addition, sophomore Clay Ream and senior Darren Marks have added 27 and 25 stops, respectively.

GAME NOTES

GAME TIME: 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 8, Bernlohr Stadium.

THE COACHES: Marietta’s Todd Glaser is in his third season with the Pioneers. Glaser earned his bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin Eau-Claire in 1993. Capital’s JIm Collins, a 1988 graduate of Wittenberg, is in his ninth season with the Crusaders.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Saturday marks the 75th meeting between the Crusaders and the Pioneers. Capital holds a 44-28-2 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to 1927, Capital's first year in the OAC. Marietta has not defeated Capital since it won 52-21 in 2000.

LAST MEETING: Last season, Capital and Marietta got together for the first home game since Don Drumm Stadium was flooded in early September. Marietta put a scare into the Crusaders with its first half performance, entering intermission tied 7-7. The Crusaders, however, outscored the Pioneer 36-0 in the second half to silence a Marietta homecoming crowd.

GREAT COVERAGE: Saturday’s football game is being broadcast live by WMRT-FM 88.3, Marietta College’s campus radio station, and by WMOA-AM 1490. Their broadcast can also be heard live online at www.mariettaonline.com. In addition, Columbus' WVKO-AM 1580's broadcast can be heard at www.capitalcrusaders.net

NEXT GAME: On Saturday, Oct. 15, the Pioneers return home to take on Division III power Mount Union. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Don Drumm Stadium. Capital will travel to Muskingum for a 1:30 p.m. game.

PROBABLE STARTERS