Marietta plays host to No. 9 Capital Saturday
No. 9 Capital (3-0, 2-0 OAC) at Marietta (0-3, 0-2 OAC)
1:30 p.m. • Saturday, Sept. 29 • Don Drumm Stadium

Game Notes (.pdf)
Sept. 27, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College football team continues its home stand and trek through its gauntlet of a schedule Saturday (Sept. 29) afternoon when No. 9 Capital University visits Don Drumm Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) match-up in week five. The Crusaders enter looking to stay undefeated, while the Pioneers remain in search of their first win of 2007.

Here is a look at both teams:

Capital University: The Crusaders are coming off a 42-10 victory at home over Heidelberg. After three games, Capital ranks second in the OAC in scoring, averaging 31.7 points. The Crusaders rank second in total offense (412.7)—second in passing (273.0) and fourth in rushing (139.7). Capital is the sixth-most penalized team in the OAC, giving up an average of 50.3penalty yards in its first three games. The Crusaders have converted 10-of-10 red-zone chances and 19-of-40 third down opportunities this season.

Sophomore quarterback Marty Assmann has taken over the offensive play calling this season. He has completed 44-of-67 passes and thrown for an OAC-high 751 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception. Assmann also leads the Conference in total offense and the team in rushing, gaining 205 yards with one touchdown on 39 carries. Junior tailback Ty Parks has added 30 carries for 118 yards and another score. Sophomore Evan Blake has been Assmann’s main target this fall. Blake leads the OAC in receiving yards with 19 catches for 423 yards and three touchdowns. All-American Derek Alexander made his season debut last week and pulled in four catches for 56 yards and one score.

The Crusaders’ defense is ranked No. 1 in the country in total defense, rush defense and sacks through four weeks. They have yet to allow an offensive touchdown and have given up just one field goal in 2007. Offenses have accumulated -12 rushing yards and been sacked 18 times against Capital. The Crusaders are also allowing an average of just 120 yards through the air. Capital has also blocked five kicks this season.

Senior Matt Coleman, who leads the team with 16 tackles, is one of eight players with double-digit tackles. Seniors Nick Bucci and Jonathan Spring each have five sacks in 2007. Senior Matt Spitz is 5-of-6 in field goal attempts with a long 37. Sophomore punter Tom Gantner has averaged 37.6 yards on 12 punts, which ranks fifth in the OAC.

Capital is averaging 17.8 yards in kick returns. The Crusaders have collected 56 first downs, while its defense has allowed 33.

Marietta College: For the first time since 1993, the Pioneers are looking to bounce back from three straight losses to start the season. Saturday will be the third time in four games that Marietta takes on a team ranked in the top 15. Marietta’s offense has averaged 14.3 points and 268.0 yards this season, which rank eighth and seventh, respectively in the OAC. Of those yards, 70.0 come on the ground, while 198.7 are through the air. The Pioneers are ranked seventh in passing offense and eighth in rushing offense. Marietta has converted 16-of-47 third downs and 7-of-13 red-zone chances in 2007. The Pioneers have a -10 turnover margin.

Individually, sophomore quarterback Dexter Hughes is 35-of-73 passing, throwing for 405 yards. He has thrown two touchdowns and been intercepted six times. Freshman Ryan Dawson leads the team with 17 grabs for 199 yards and two scores. Senior Chad McDaniel has added 10 receptions for 145 yards. Sophomore George Davis is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 33.7 yards. He has scored one touchdown. Junior Pat Lane is 1-for-3 in field goals and 4-for-4 in PATs. Senior John Bensie is averaging 34.2 yards on 16 punts.

Marietta’s defense enters the week ranked eighth in total defense. It is allowing 488.0 yards per game. The Pioneers rank eighth against the run (160.0) and ninth against the pass (328.0). Marietta has recorded three sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season. The Pioneers have allowed their opponents to convert 14-of-16 red zone chances, including 11 touchdowns. Opponents are converting 44% (22-of-50) of their third-down opportunities against Marietta.

Senior linebackers Brian Hahn and Carter Shaver lead the team with 29 total tackles each, while junior linebacker Grant Cowell has added 26 hits.

Marietta is averaging 14.9 yards on kick returns and 8.6 yards on punt returns this year. The Pioneers have committed 17 penalties for 136 yards. Marietta is trailing slightly in time of possession, holding onto the ball from an average of 28:20, while on defense for 31:40.

Week 5 Game Notes

THE RECORDS: Saturday is week five of the 2007 season. Marietta is 0-3 overall and 0-2 the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Capital enters 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the OAC.

GAME TIME: 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, 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. Capital’s Jim Collins begins his 11th year as the Crusader’s head coach. The 1988 Wittenberg graduate is 61-48 with Capital and 65-74 overall, which includes three years at Dubuque (Iowa).

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Crusaders and the Pioneers meet for the 77th time on the gridiron in 2007 with Capital leading the series 46-28-2. Capital has won six straight. Marietta’s last win came by the score of 52-21 in 2000.

LAST MEETING: The Crusaders forced five turnovers on their way to a 52-10 victory at Bernlohr Stadium a year ago. Marietta was in the game, trailing by 14 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Capital scored the final 28 points. Chad McDaniel pulled in a game-high 13 receptions for 121 yards. Derek Alexander led Capita’s receiving corps with seven catches for a career-high 178 yards and three TDs.

RADIO COVERAGE: Marietta College will have two radio stations, WMOA-AM 1490 and WMRT-FM 88.3, covering the game. In addition, Capital University’s WFCO-FM 90.9 will be carrying the game for Crusader 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.

LIVE STATS: Live statistics of Saturday’s football game will be available at http://pioneers.marietta.edu.

APPROACHING 400: Marietta remains in search of its 400th victory as a program. The next win will give them 400.

GETTING OFF TO A QUICK START: Marietta will look to get off to a fast start out of the locker room 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. This year, the Pioneers have been outscored 31-3 in the first quarter, 44-7 in the second quarter and 35-7 in the third quarter. Marietta has outscored opponents 26-10 in the final frame.

RED-ZONE STAND: Marietta has scored in seven of its 13 trips to the red-zone this season; six of the scores have been touchdowns. The Pioneers’ defense, however, has allowed scores in 14-of-16 red-zone possessions, including 11 touchdowns.

THIS WEEK IN THE OAC: A full slate of OAC games are on slated for Sept. 29. At 1:30 p.m., Mount Union visits Heidelberg and Wilmington travels to Muskingum. In addition, John Carroll plays host to rival Baldwin-Wallace at 2 p.m., while Ohio Northern is at Otterbein at 7 p.m.

NEXT GAME: On Saturday (Oct. 6), Marietta visits rival Muskingum for a 7 p.m. showdown, while Capital plays host to John Carroll for Homecoming at 1:30 p.m.

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 Williamstown High School 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.