Marietta to host Otterbein in River City Bowl on Alumni Day
Otterbein (0-2, 0-1 OAC) at Marietta (0-2, 0-1 OAC)
6 p.m. • Saturday, Sept. 22 • Don Drumm Stadium

Game Notes (.pdf)
Sept. 19, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College football team welcomes Otterbein College to Don Drumm Stadium Saturday (Sept. 22) evening for an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) match-up in week four. Both teams enter in search of that all-important first win of the season. The Pioneers would like to welcome everyone to the third annual River City Bowl, especially those back in town for Football Alumni Day.

"The concept behind having the River City Bowl is for the College and football program to have a way of recognizing the College community and the Marietta community for its wonderful support," Marietta Head Coach Curt Wiese said. "When combined with our Alumni Day, we expect it to be a great atmosphere for football."

Therefore the College has numerous pre-game activities planned to honor those attending the game. For starters, the College is having a tailgate for fans of both teams starting at 4:30 p.m. The tailgate will include free soda, hot dogs, bratwurst and many other treats outside the stadium. The College is also pleased to be giving the first 1,000 fans through the gates a River City Bowl T-shirt, which is sponsored by Grae-Con Construction.

Here is a look at both teams:

Otterbein College: The Cardinals, who enter on a four-game losing streak that dates back to week 10 of 2006, are coming off back-to-back losses against Defiance (16-14) and top-ranked Mount Union (58-14) to start the season. After two games, Otterbein, who has not been 0-2 since 1995, ranks seventh in the OAC in scoring, averaging 14.0 points. The Cardinals rank ninth in total offense (200.0)—eighth in passing (147.0) and tenth in rushing (53.0). Otterbein is the fifth-most penalized team in the OAC, giving up an average of 61.5 penalty yards in its first two games. The Cardinals have converted 4-of-5 red-zone chances and 4-of-25 third down opportunities this season.

Sophomore running back Colton Coy, who is averaging 26.5 yards, leads the team in rushing on just six carries. Senior Tyrone Morgan has added 14 carries for 40 yards thus far in 2007. Senior quarterback Paul Stelzer controls the team from under center. In two games, he has completed 17-of-38 passes and thrown for 154 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Senior Scott DeLong leads the team in receptions with 14 grabs for 161 yards yards, including two for scores.

The Cardinals’ defense has allowed 37.0 points per game this season, which ranks ninth in the OAC. Otterbein has surrendered an average of 187.5 yards on the ground and 397.5 yards through the air. The Cardinals, who have -1 turnover margin, have recorded three sacks and one interception on the year.

Senior Justin Ross and junior John Wahler pace the team with 19 total tackles each, while junior Tony Furr has added 17 hits. Junior punter B.J. Wanniger has averaged 37.2 yards on 15 punts, which ranks fourth in the OAC. Otterbein is averaging 23.5 yards in kick returns. The Cardinals have collected 28 first downs, while its defense has allowed 57 first downs.

Marietta College: For the first time since 1993, the Pioneers are looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses—falling 55-14 to No. 3 Saint John’s and 24-6 to No. 14 Baldwin-Wallace—to start the season. Marietta’s offense has averaged 10.0 points and 198.0 yards this season, which rank eighth and tenth, respectively in the OAC. Of those yards, 54.0 come on the ground, while 144.0 are through the air. The Pioneers are ranked ninth in both passing and rushing offense. Marietta has converted 9-of-31 third downs and 3-of-7 red-zone chances in 2007. The Pioneers have a -3.5 turnover margin.

Individually, sophomore quarterback Ryan Merrill has completed 17-of-39 passes and thrown for 146 yards and two scores. Classmate Dexter Hughes is 14-of-29 passing, throwing for 142 yards. Both have been intercepted three times. Freshman Ryan Dawson leads the team with 10 grabs for 98 yards and one score. Sophomore George Davis is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 39.0 yards. He has scored one touchdown. Junior Pat Lane is 0-for-2 in field goals and 2-for-2 in PATs. Senior John Bensie is averaging 32.9 yards on 12 punts.

Marietta’s defense enters the week ranked eighth in total defense. It is allowing 435.5 yards per game. The Pioneers rank seventh against both the pass (280.5) and the run (155.0). Marietta has recorded three sacks and 12 tackles for loss this season. The Pioneers have allowed their opponents to convert 11-of-13 red zone chances, including eight touchdowns. Offenses are converting 41.2% (14-of-34) of their third-down opportunities against Marietta.

Junior middle linebacker Grant Cowell leads the team with 22 tackles, while seniors Carter Shaver and Brian Hahn have added 20 and 18 hits, respectively. Hahn leads the team in tackles for loss with two.

Marietta is averaging just 15.8 yards on kick returns and 8.2 yards on punt returns this year. Mistakes have been a factor, as the Pioneers have committed 10 penalties for 81 yards. Marietta is trailing slightly in time of possession, holding onto the ball from an average of 28:18, while on defense for 31:42.

Week 4 Game Notes

THE RECORDS: Saturday is week four of the 2007 season. Marietta is 0-2 overall and 0-1 the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Otterbein is also 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the OAC.

GAME TIME: 6:00 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, Don Drumm Stadium in Marietta, Ohio.

THE COACHES: Marietta’s Curt Wiese is in his second season as the leader of the Pioneers. Wiese, the offensive coordinator of the Pioneers for three years before becoming the head coach, earned his bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State-Mankato in 1999. Otterbein’s Joe Loth begins his fifth year as the Cardinal’s head football coach and eighth year as a head coach overall. The 1991 Otterbein graduate has a career record of 25-46, including 18-24 with the Cardinals.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Cardinals and the Pioneers meet for the 80th time on the gridiron in 2007 with Marietta leading the series 40-39. Otterbein, however, has won two straight over Marietta and seven of the last eight.

LAST MEETING: The opportunistic Cardinals took advantage of Pioneer mistakes and held off another late comeback effort from the Pioneers to win the game, 27-24. Junior Chad McDaniel pulled in a school record 14 receptions for 210 yards. Otterbein’s Paul Stelzer connected on 14-of-27 passes and threw for 164 yards and four touchdowns.

TV COVERAGE: For the first time in school history, Pioneer fans will be able to watch the team on local television. Jim Wharton and Mike Hayden will provide live play-by-play on WTAP-TV. The broadcast is being sponsored by Gene Haynes and State Farm Insurance. Fans can also watch the game live on http://www.wtap.com.

RADIO COVERAGE: Marietta College will have two radio stations, WMOA-AM 1490 and WMRT-FM 88.3, covering the game. In addition, Otterbein College’s WOBN-FM 101.5. will be carrying the game for Cardinal fans.

LISTEN ONLINE: Marietta College is proud to once again offer its fans on the World Wide Web the opportunity to listen to all 10 Pioneer football games through a partnership with Stretch Internet. All you need is QuickTime. For more information visit Marietta’s athletic web site: http://pioneers.marietta.edu. Archives are also available to listen to or to purchase.

APPROACHING 400: Marietta began its 112th season one win shy of 400 all-time victories. The Pioneers will try to reach that mark on Saturday.

GETTING OFF TO A QUICK START: Marietta will look to get off to a fast start out of the locker room this season after struggling in the first half in 2006. The Pioneers were outscored 65-34 in the first quarter and 67-49 in the second quarter last year. On the other hand, Marietta outscored its opponents 51-38 and 88-72 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

RED-ZONE STAND: Marietta will look build upon its success in the red zone last year, when it converted 79.4% (27-of-34) of its chances. 19 of its 34 scores were touchdowns. The Pioneers look to continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball. They allowed scores in 28-of-42 chances, including 18 touchdowns, in 2006.

THIS WEEK IN THE OAC: A full slate of OAC games are on slated for Sept. 22. At 1:30 p.m., Wilmington visits Baldwin-Wallace, Heidelberg is at Capital and John Carroll travels to Ohio Northern. In addition, Mount Union plays host to Muskingum at 7 p.m.

NEXT GAME: On Saturday (Sept. 29), Marietta remains at home to take on Capital at 1:30 p.m., while Otterbein plays host to Ohio Northern at 1:30 p.m.

ALUMNI DAY: Marietta would like to welcome back all football alumni who are in town this weekend. We hope that you enjoy the full schedule of events.

H.O.G. WILD: Coach Wiese and the Pioneers would like to welcome all of the Harley Davidson owners, who will be on hand Saturday to help cheer Marietta to victory.

STUDENT SECTION: The bleachers in the south end zone on Saturday are reserved for Blue Crew members. The Pioneers appreciate your support.

IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT: The Pioneers would like to welcome the Parkersburg High School Big Red Band, who will be performing throughout the evening, including during pre-game and at halftime.

FALL SCHEDULE CARDS: Fall schedule cards are now available. Pick one up near the gate or stop by the Athletics office.