Mount Union scores 59 unanswered points to top Marietta
Shawn Ellies returns a fumble 100 yards for the Pioneers' lone touchdown in 59-7 loss

Oct. 15, 2005
MARIETTA, Ohio - All Ohio Athletic Conference teams have to endure it and Marietta is no exception. Saturday (Oct. 15) was the day that the Pioneers and perennial-power Mount Union hooked up on the gridiron, and such as the case has been for the last 110 regular season games, when the final horn sounded, the Purple Raiders walked away with the victory.

Before the evening was over, Marietta (2-4, 1-4 OAC) accomplished something no other team had done against the second-ranked Raiders (6-0, 5-0 OAC) this season, score in the first quarter. The Pioneers did just that in dramatic fashion, as sophomore Shawn Ellies (Wilkinsburg, PA/Schenley) picked up a Terrance Morring fumble in Marietta's end zone and raced 100 yards for the score. A Nick Manson (Canal Fulton/Akron Manchester) extra points gave Marietta a 7-0 lead with 1:50 to go in the first frame.

Mount Union, however responded with five-play, 43-yard drive to tie the game with two seconds remaining in the quarter. Nate Kmic capped the drive with a nine-yard run.

The Raiders forced Marietta to punt on the following possession and then proceeded to score a touchdown each of the next five times they touched the ball to break open the game and roll to the 59-7 victory.

Marietta finished with just 39 total yards, while Mount Union racked up a school-record 755 in the win. The Raiders also set a single-game record with 40 first downs, while holding the Pioneers to just four. Marietta was held to -7 yards of total offense in the second half.

Mount Union's Mike Jorris finished 18-of-28 for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once and also ran for 23 yards and two scores. Jason Vrable (South Park, PA) completed just 6-of-20 passes for 56 yards for Marietta.

Aaron Robinson led MTU's ground game with 18 carries for 147 yards, while Joe Webb (Monessen, PA/Ringgold) was Marietta's top rusher with 12 carries for 16 yards. Senior Steven Wagner (Harwick, PA/Fox Chapel) was held to nine carries for negative-six yards.

Bradon Boehm led Mount Union's receivers with a career-high seven receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown while Scott Casto pulled in six balls for 83 yards and two scores. Overall, eight Raiders had at least one reception.

Marietta's Jason Curry (Akron/Springfield) was forced to punt 12 times, averaging 42.1 yards per kick and placing three inside the 20-yard line. He also had a long of 62 yards, which was a career-high for him.

Anthony Banks (Colonial Heights, VA/Thomas Dale) led Marietta with 14 tackles, including nine solo. He also had his fourth interception, —a 33-yard return—of the year. Darren Marks (Parkersburg, W.Va.) (13 tackles), Brian Hahn (Upper Sandusky) (12 tackles) and Cody Venderlic (Friendly, WV/St. Marys) (11 tackles) also finished with double-digit stops. Hahn also picked up his team-leading fourth sack of the season.

Mount Union's defense was led by Greg Brauer and Matt Kostelnik with six and five tackles, respectively.

The Pioneers will remain at home for their next contest, a Homecoming match-up with rival Muskingum. Kickoff Saturday (Oct. 22) is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Don Drumm Stadium.