TIFFIN, Ohio — Four first half turnovers proved too costly as Marietta College dropped a 41-28 decision at Heidelberg University Saturday (Oct. 22) afternoon in Paul Hoernemann Stadium. The Pioneers fall to 2-5 on the season and 2-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Student Princes improve to 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the OAC.
Marietta had little trouble moving the ball accumulating 461 yards of total offense, including a career-high 265 on the ground from running back
Roger Walker (Palm Bay, Fla./Bayside). Walker carried the ball 34 times, also a career-high, and scored three touchdowns. It was the fourth straight game that he has rushed for more than 100 yards.
However, an interception and three lost fumbles, coupled with a missed field goal, allowed Heidelberg to build a 34-0 lead at halftime.
The Student Princes picked off a
Darrien Fields (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) pass on Marietta's first possession. Heidelberg moved 56 yards on six plays to grab a 7-0 lead. Tyler Stoyle hit Tony Morris on an 18-yard scoring strike for the points.
Marietta drove to the Heidelberg 9-yard line before having to settle for a field goal attempt.
Jimmy Embrescia (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) missed the 26-yard attempt wide left. The Student Princes quickly capitalized on the MC miscue scoring in just two plays. A 26-yard pass from Stoyle to Geoffrey helms and a 54-yard touchdown run from Bryan Lacey made it 14-0.
A 33-yard run from Walker put the Pioneers right back in Heidelberg territory. On second and goal at the one, Fields was stuffed and the ball came loose. Malik Dudley recovered it for the Student Princes ending Marietta's drive. Two other Pioneer drives ended in lost fumbles prior to halftime.
Lacey added a 28-yard scoring run and Stoyle threw two more touchdowns to Morris, one for 23 yards and one for 17 yards, for the 34-0 lead at the break.
The Pioneers regrouped at halftime and dominated the third quarter outscoring Heidelberg 21-0. Walker scored all three touchdowns with runs of 80, 9 and 3 yards.
Heidelberg slowed the Pioneers' momentum with an 8-play, 90-yard drive. Backup quarterback Trace Reynolds capped the drive with a 28-yard scoring strike to Cameron Vocke. AJ Morrison added the point after making it 41-21 with 6:18 left in the game.
Once again Marietta responded. The Pioneers marched right down the field for another touchdown. Fields capped the 15-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to
Nick Hineman (Beaver, Pa./Beaver Area). Embrescia's kick made it 41-28.
With 1:14 left in the game and trailing by two scores, Marietta was forced to try the onside kick. The Student Princes covered the kick and then went into victory formation for two plays to run out the clock.
Fields completed 22-of-31 passes for 212 yards. He was picked off once and threw one touchdown pass.
Billy Frauens (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) caught seven passes for 78 yards and Hineman has seven catches for 44 yards and the touchdown.
Eric Klopfenstein (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) and
Garrett Davis (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) each had 11 tackles to lead the Pioneer defense.
Stoyle finished 11-of-20 for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Lacey carried the ball 15 times for 167 yards and a pair of scores.
Marietta returns home to host Ohio Northern University next Saturday (Oct. 29) at 1:30 p.m. Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
