Marietta football shut out 27-0 by visiting No. 9 Capital
Pioneers now turn their attention to rival Muskingum

Sept. 29, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College football team fell 27-0 to No. 9 Capital University in an Ohio Athletic Conference game Saturday (Sept. 29) afternoon at Don Drumm Stadium.

The victory improves Capital's record to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the OAC. Marietta falls to 0-4, 0-3 in league play.

The Crusaders' defense entered as the nation's best in terms of total defense, rush defense and sacks. In addition, it had not allowed a defensive touchdown through three games. That streak extended to four games, as the Pioneers could not crack the scoreboard Saturday, giving Capital its third shutout of the season.

Capital out-gained Marietta 326 yards to 152 yards. The Pioneers finished with 84 yards rushing against a defense that had allowed -12 in its first three wins and added 68 yards through the air. Capital collected 98 yards on the ground and 228 by way of the pass. The Crusaders, who controlled the ball for 33:55, moved the chains 19 times, while the Pioneers, who were on offense for 26:05, collected just nine first downs. Marietta turned the ball over four times, while Capital did not give the ball away.

Both teams traded punts on their opening possession. Marietta punted again the second time it had the ball. Capital then drove down to Marietta's 35-yard line before being held to a 52-yard field goal attempt. Matt Spitz's attempt was blocked by Marietta senior all-American Clay Ream (Burbank/Northwestern) to keep the game scoreless.

Spitz did connect from 47 yards later in the quarter to put Capital ahead 3-0 11:22 into the game. The 47-yard field goal was a career high for Spitz.

The Crusaders increased their lead to 10-0 on their first possession of the second frame. Sophomore quarterback Marty Assmann capped a 10-play, 63-yard drive with a 13-yard scoring strike to junior Mando Ancona with 12:33 left to play in the half.

It remained a 10-0 game as the teams entered intermission. Capital, who got the ball to begin the third quarter, took advantage of great field position thanks to a kickoff going out of bounce to extend its lead 17-0 early in the second half. This time, it was Assmann's feet that accounted for the score as he punched it in from the two-yard line.

A Pioneer fumble inside its own red-zone led to Capital's third touchdown of the game. Assmann found Ancona again in the end zone, this time from three yards out, increasing the Crusaders' lead to 24-0.

Capital completed the scoring on its first possession of the fourth quarter, when Spitz connected on a 26-yard field goal to make the score 27-0.

Marietta sophomore Dexter Hughes (Woodsfield/Monroe Central) finished 11-of-32 from under center. He threw for 68 yards with two interceptions and was not sacked on Saturday. Assmann completed 18-of-35 passing attempts and threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. He also ran the ball 13 times for a net of 11 yards after being sacked four times.

Senior Joe Webb (Monessen, Pa./Ringgold) led the Pioneers' ground attack with 16 carries for 77 yards, while junior Garrett Banks (Barberton) added six rushes for 24 yards. Matt Merritt paced Capital's rushers with 17 carries for 76 yards, while starter Ty Parks added 12 carries for nine yards.

Senior Chad McDaniel (Wooster/Triway) led all receivers with six catches for 42 yards. Parks had a team-high four receptions for 66 yards for Capital.

Marieta senior Jon Bensie (Fairview Park/Fairview) had a solid day punting, averaging 34.8 yards on 11 punts.

Defensively, senior All-American Brian Hahn (Upper Sandusky) finished with a game-high 13 tackles, including four for loss and one sack. Sophomore Jon D'Angelo (Midland, Pa./Western Beaver) added 12 hits, including one sack, in his first game as full-time player. Ream, who added a sack and blocked two field goals, and junior Grant Cowell (Perrysville/Loudonville) both contributed eight total stops.

Capital's defense was paced by All-American James Starks, who had eight tackles and forced one fumble. C.J. Steele and Matt Coleman had interceptions in the win.

Marietta returns to action Saturday (Oct. 6) when it travels to New Concord, Ohio, to take on rival Muskingum College. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. The action can be heard on WMRT-FM 88.3, Marietta College's student radio station.