The Sidick Show leads MC to biggest win of Glaser era

Oct. 2, 20004
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Following the 20-3 loss to John Carroll last week, the Pioneers knew that they needed to add another offensive weapon in order to survive in the OAC. Marietta found that weapon in the person of Chris Sidick (Cecil, PA/Canon McMillan). Sidick’s performance led the Pioneers to a 24-23 victory over Otterbein tonight (Oct. 2) at Memorial Stadium.

The victory, the first over the Cardinals in six years, improved the Pioneers to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the OAC, while Otterbein falls to 1-3, 0-3 in the conference. It is the first time MC has started the season 3-1 since 1996, when the Navy Blue & White finished 7-3.

Marietta’s night looked bleak early on, as the Cardinals forced a turnover on the Pioneers’ first possession. Otterbein’s running back Josh Braden gave his squad a 6-0 lead on its second offensive play with a 40-yard scamper. The extra point gave Otterbein the 7-0 lead.

Bobby Lemasters (Winfield, WV) connected on his third field goal of the season, a 26-yard attempt to cut the lead to four. The drive was set up by a 26-yard interception return by senior Nate Brownrigg (Zanesville/Philo). Lemaster’s counterpart John Sims put the Cardinals back up seven with a 33-yard field goal in the final minute of the first frame.

The score remained the same until 5:07 remaining in the third quarter, when Cardinal quarter back Jared Adkins connected with Kyle Wolfe for a 55-yard touchdown pass.

Sidick, the Pioneer’s all-time kick return leader, brought MC right back into the game, 17-10, with an 88-yard touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.

Steven Wagner (Harwick, PA/Fox Chapel) followed Sidick’s score with a 64-yard touchdown run on MC’s next possession to tie the score at 17-17.

Otterbein’s Sims put the Cardinals ahead with a 35-yard field goal on its next drive and then added a 29-yard field goal with 7:49 to play to give his team a 23-17 lead.

Marietta stayed focused and put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown reception by Bryan Adams (Beachwood, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) from Jason Vrable (South Park, PA) to give MC the 24-23 lead.

The Pioneers one-point victory was secured with 12 seconds to play when Otterbein missed a 37-yard field goal.

“This was a great win for our kids,” said head coach Todd Glaser. “We fought through our early mistakes and were able to defeat a solid team. We will enjoy the victory tonight and then begin to focus on our next opponent (Capital) tomorrow.”

Otterbein out gained the Pioneers 411 to 344 on the night. Vrable finished 24-of-23 for 140 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Adkins went 16-of-26 for 239 yards, one score and two interceptions, before leaving the game with an injury in the second half quarter.

Wagner led the Pioneer ground game with 30 carries for 177 yards, while his counterpart, Braden, finished with 24 carries for 140 yards. MC was able to hold him to 23 carries for 100 yards after his initial carry of 40 yards.

Sidick, who had not played on offense, but as MC’s middle linebacker prior to this game, made his presence felt all over the field tonight. He was the leading receiver with 9 grabs for 119 yards, while also rushing three times for a total of 19 yards, in addition to his kickoff return for a touchdown.

Otterbein had two receivers, Ricardo Lenhart and Wolfe; eclipse the 100-yard mark in the loss.

Brian Hahn (Upper Sandusky) was the Pioneers’ leading tackler with 15 stops. He also had a 15-yard interception return. Clay Ream (Burbank/Northwestern) added10 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the win.

Senior Brett Munn‘s (Newbury) play on special teams could not be overlooked either, as he blocked two Otterbein field goal attempts in the first half, which enabled MC to come out with the win.

The Pioneers will look to take another major step forward, when they host Capital Saturday (Oct. 9) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday is Homecoming at Don Drumm Stadium.