MARIETTA, Ohio — Muskingum University spoiled Marietta College's home football opener Saturday (Sept. 18) night with a 31-23 victory in front of an Alumni Day and sixth annual River City Bowl crowd at Don Drumm Stadium. [Box Score]

The Fighting Muskies improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Pioneers dropped to 1-1, 0-1 in league play. Saturday's outcome, which was decided by eight points or less for the ninth time in the last ten meetings, helped Muskingum retain the Shrine Trophy for a second straight year.

Muskie senior Jake Burns was named his team's Most Valuable Player after completing 10-of-18 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown while running 26 times for 104 yards and two more scores. Pioneer sophomore linebacker #George Grady# earned the honor for his squad after finishing with a game-high seven total tackles.

Muskingum out gained Marietta 294-253 overall, including 154-102 on the ground. The Pioneers did finish with a 151-140 advantage through the air in a game that saw three turnovers from each team.

A sack and forced fumble by sophomore linebacker #Kadeem Corbin (Cheltenham, Md./Fredrick Douglas)# set up Marietta's first scoring drive. Junior quarterback #Andrew Keller (Cincinnati/Glen Este)# connected with junior wide out #Chad Walker (Spring Hill, Fla./Central)# on the first play from scrimmage for a 47-yard completion, which brought the ball down to the Muskingum three yard line. Two plays later, Keller ran it in for the touchdown and the Pioneers led 7-0 with 2:33 to play in the first quarter.

The Muskies answered on their next possession. A fake punt on fourth and three near midfield kept the drive alive. Four plays later, Burns used his legs to produce a 25-yard touchdown run and tied the game at 7-7 with 12:16 remaining in the half.

Muskingum's special teams came through again minutes later. C.J. McArthur blocked a Pioneer punt deep in its own territory and teammate Tyler Richardson recovered the ball in the end zone for the touchdown, giving the Muskies a 14-7 advantage with 9:37 left on the first half clock.

Marietta junior #Kyle Cardwell (Uniontown/Green)# hit a 34-yard field goal with 4:43 left in the second quarter to cut the Pioneers' deficit to four points, 14-10.

Muskingum, however, took advantage of a short field after a penalty on the kickoff to stretch its lead to 11 points 70 second later when Burns hit Ben Smith on a 34-yard touchdown strike.

Cardwell added his second field goal of the half, this time from 41 yards, as time expired and Marietta headed into the locker room down 21-13.

Both teams punted on their first possession of the second half. Muskingum then found the end zone again to boost its lead to 28-13 with 8:27 left in the third period. Burns rushed the ball in from four yards for his second score of the game.

The Muskies added to their advantage in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Caleb Carpenter connected on a 29-yard field goal, giving his squad a 31-13 lead.

Marietta threatened to score midway through the fourth quarter but the drive was halted by an interception in the end zone. The Pioneers, however, scored a safety two plays later when a Muskingum player fumbled the ball in the end zone and then recovered it to prevent the touchdown. It was Marietta's first safety since registering one against Muskingum in 2005.

The Pioneers received the free kick trailing 31-15 with 5:16 to play in the game. Marietta once again drove down the field but had its drive stalled by an interception in the end zone. This time, however, the Muskingum defender fumbled on the return, and senior #Cameron Kiger (Rockbridge/Logan)# recovered the ball to give Marietta new life.

Keller added his second rushing touchdown, a seven-yard score, three plays later and then converted a two-point conversion pass to Walker to pull Marietta within eight points, 31-23, with 3:46 remaining in the game.

After an unsuccessful onside kick, Marietta's defense forced a three-and-out to give its offense one more opportunity. Incomplete passed on three of the next four plays, however, sent the ball back to the Muskies, who then ran out the clock and celebrated the 31-23 victory.

Sophomore running back #Tevin Dones (Antioch, Calif./Antioch)# led Marietta's rushing attack with 12 carries for 49 yards, while Keller added 13 carries for 46 yards and two scores. Keller completed 14-of-38 passes, throwing for 151 yards. Walker had four receptions for 90 yards, while junior wide receiver #Jahmaal Jones (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale)# added four grabs for 56 yards. Smith led Muskingum's receivers with three catches for 47 yards and a score. Demetrius Bailey added to the ground game with 11 carries for 36 yards.

Senior defensive end #Adam Tate (Chesterhill/Federal Hocking)# matched his teammate Grady with a game-best seven total hits, while junior free safety #Jake Depp (Geneva/Geneva)# and senior defensive tackle #Pete Santagate (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township)# both added six stops. Ethan Wetzel and James Beatty paced Muskingum's defense with six stops each.

Marietta will look to bounce back Saturday (Sept. 25) afternoon when it visits University Heights, Ohio, for an OAC match-up with John Carroll University. Kickoff with the Blue Streaks (0-2, 0-1 OAC) is slated for 2 p.m.