Marietta football struggles in 55-14 week one loss at No. 3 Saint John's
Pioneers drop first season opener since 1999

Sept. 1, 2007
COLLEGVILLE, Minn. — The Marietta College football team knew that it would have it hands full during the 2007 season opener at No. 3 Saint John's. Never before had the Pioneers, who entered with a seven game winning streak in season openers, played a team of the Johnnies' caliber to start the year. Saint John's, who scored the first 55 points, took control of the game early and never looked back, cruising to a 55-14 victory.

Marietta accumulated 187 yards of offense, 26 on the ground and 161 in the air. Saint John's, meanwhile, racked up 484 total yards, 194 rushing and 294 passing. The Pioneers' committed four turnovers, while the Johnnies did not turn the ball over. Saint John's held onto the ball for 31:27, while Marietta had possession for 28:33. The Pioneers were just 5-of-17 on third down. The Johnnies converted 8-of-17 third down opportunities.

Sophomore George Davis (Warren/Newton Falls) led Marietta's ground attack with 11 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown, a six-yard run with 1:23 left on the clock. Sophomore Lamar Hunter (South Euclid/Brush) added five carries for 20 yards, and junior Garrett Banks (Barberton) had five carries for 19 yards.

Sophomore Dexter Hughes (Woodsfield/Monroe Central) got his first start under center for the Pioneers. He completed 10-of-25 passes, throwing for 119 yards. Hughes was sacked three times and threw three interceptions. Sophomore Ryan Merrill (Parkersburg, W.Va./South) went 5-of-10 in a back-up role. He threw for 42 yards and one touchdown, a nine-yard strike to freshman Camden Dierkes (Woodsfield/St. John Central), who caught two passes for 25 yards, with 3:31 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Ryan Dawson (Parkersburg, W.Va.) led Marietta's receivers with five grabs for 58 yards. Banks and junior Andrew Good (Bexley) both added two receptions.

Saint John's had 12 different players carry the ball. Aaron Blackmore led the way with 17 carries for 69 yards.

Alex Kofoed paced the Johnnies' aerial attack by completing 18-of-24 attempts and throwing for 249 yards and three touchdowns. The touchdown throws covered two yards, six yards and six yards, respectively.

Brian Weber was Saint John's leading receiver. He had six catches for 117 yards, while Brett Saladin had five receptions for 79 yards.

Senior linebacker Carter Shaver (Trotwood/Waynesville) finished with a game-high and career-high 14 tackles. One of the tackles was a sack. Sophomore defensive back Clinton Thompson (Waverly, W.Va./Williamstown) added 10 tackles, while junior Grant Cowell (Perrysville/Loudonville) and senior Brian Hahn (Upper Sandusky) had nine and eight hits, respectively.

Kevin Boegel and Mike Schumacher paced the Johnnies' defense with six stops. Ethan Eid added an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Marietta will have a week off to regroup before traveling to Berea, Ohio, for its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener against Baldwin-Wallace on Sept. 15. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.