ADA, Ohio —
Connor Vierstra (Thornville, Ohio/Lakewood) hit
John Sierputowski (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 5:33 left in the game to give Marietta College a 21-17 victory over Ohio Northern University Saturday (Oct. 28) afternoon. The Pioneers improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Ohio Northern falls to 2-6 on the season and 2-5 in the OAC.
"Today was real good hard-fought victory for our guys," Marietta head coach
Andy Waddle said. "Credit to Ohio Northern they did a really good job of protecting the football. But our guys continued to step up and make some plays."
A critical pass interference call negated a Polar Bear interception on Marietta's game-winning drive. On third and long from their own 47-yard line, Vierstra's pass was picked off by Dalton Tjong. However, Tjong was whistled for the penalty giving Marietta an automatic first down.
On the next play, Vierstra connected with
Bryce Agnew (Cleveland, Ohio/Berea-Midpark) on a screen pass that went for 23 yards down to the ONU 15-yard line. Following a 2-yard run by Agnew, Vierstra found Sierputowski open in the endzone for the winning touchdown.
Any hopes of a Homecoming win for the Polar Bears were erased after Ohio Northern went three and out on its next possession. Marietta got the ball back with 3:24 left in the game and managed to run the clock out for the win.
Agnew carried the ball 24 times for 103 yards and one touchdown. He caught six passes for 53 yards. Agnew moved into fourth place on Marietta's all-time rushing list with 3,898 career rushing yards. He passed Pioneer All-American Evan Lipp (3,844 career yards).
Vierstra completed 17-of-24 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off once.
Dre Baldwin (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) Caught four passes for 61 yards and a score, while Sierputowski finished with three catches for 40 yards and one touchdown.
Marietta took the opening kickoff and marched 90 yards on nine plays for the early 7-0 lead. Agnew capped the drive when he dove in from one yard out for the score. Vierstra converted a pair of third downs on the drive hitting Baldwin on a 34-yard pass and Agnew for 16-yards to keep the drive alive.
Ohio Northern's Cooper Braden intercepted a Vierstra pass in the second quarter giving the Polar Bears the ball at their own 48-yard line. ONU needed just one play to even the score as Jordan Pettaway broke off a 52-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing drive, Marietta moved the ball to the Polar Bear 27-yard line before stalling. The Pioneers' 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked leaving the score tied, 7-7, at halftime.
The Polar Bears went on top in the third quarter. Ohio Northern received the second half kickoff and drove to the Marietta 21-yard line before kicking a Jon Michael Elliott 38-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.
Marietta responded with a 12-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Vierstra to Baldwin. Vierstra completed 5-of-6 passes on the drive for 32 of the 71 yards as Marietta took a 14-10 lead.
Ohio Northern retook the lead, 17-14, with 9:24 left in the game. Brennon Norris connected with a wide-open Noah Miller on a 4-yard touchdown pass that capped a 6-play, 44-yards drive.
Norris completed 12-of-20 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown. Louis Blasiole had 18 carries for 90 yards, while Pettaway carried the ball 10 times for 82 yards and one touchdown.
Marietta plays at Capital University next Saturday (Nov. 4). Kickoff is set for 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 X and Instagram.
