ADA, Ohio — Ohio Northern University scored 21 unanswered second quarter points as the Polar Bears defeated Marietta College by the score of 42-9 Saturday (Oct. 4) afternoon. The loss drops Marietta to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Ohio Northern is 3-1 overall and 3-0 in the OAC.
 
Ohio Northern capitalized on several Pioneer miscues to build an early lead and then pulled away for the decisive victory. Marietta turned the ball over four times, including three in the first half, resulting in 21 Polar Bear points.
 
After forcing ONU to punt on its first possession of the game, Pioneer quarterback Antwon Johnson (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) was intercepted on Marietta's first play from scrimmage. Ohio Northern went 43 yards on just five plays for the first score of the game. Sam Feldman connected with Kyle Celestin on an 11-yard touchdown to cap the drive.
 
Marietta answered with a seven-play drive that stalled on the ONU 12-yard line and settled for a 29-yard field goal from Nathaniel Demuth (New Philadelphia, Ohio/New Philadelphia). After a pair of Benny Lewis (Sanderson, Fla./Baker County) runs gained 14 yards, Johnson hit John Sierputowski (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) on a 40-yard pass to the ONU 26-yard line. Pass interference gave MC a first down at the 11-yard line. Two runs gained one yard and an incomplete pass on third down forced the Pioneers to kick the field goal.
 
The Polar Bears made it 14-3 on a 14-yard touchdown run by Jordan Pettaway. The score capped a nine-play, 82-yard drive for Ohio Northern.
 
Marietta fumbled on its next possession giving the ball right back to the Polar Bears. Seven plays later Feldman hooked up with Seth Borondy for a seven-yard touchdown extending the lead to 21-3.
 
ONU added another score in the first half taking a 28-3 lead into halftime. Louie Blasiole scored on a seven-yard run capping a seven-play, 68-yard scoring drive for the Polar Bears.
 
The Pioneers received the second half kickoff but couldn't manage a first down and was forced to punt. Ohio Northern put the game out of reach with a seven-play, 51-yard scoring drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown pass from Feldman to Kameron Cox.
 
Marietta answered with its longest drive of the day. The Pioneers went 60 yards on 12 plays for their only touchdown of the game. Zion Jackson-Wilborn (Whitehall, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) scored on an eight-yard run. Marietta's two-point conversion attempt failed.
 
ONU added one more score in the game after intercepting a third Pioneer pass. Blasiole scored on a nine-yard run for the final 42-9 margin.
 
Johnson completed 14-of-25 passes for 176 yards but was picked off three times. Joe Tenta (Palm Bay, Fla./Heritage) was 4-for-11 for 25 yards. Sierputowski had six catches for 85 yards. Playing without injured running back Vante' Hodges (Horn Lake, Miss./Horn Lake), the Pioneers struggled to get a ground game going. Marietta ran the ball 24 times for just 50 yards.
 
Feldman completed 21-of-30 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Pettaway carried the ball 11 times for 72 yards and one score, while Blasiole had 19 carries for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Borondy finished with six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.
 
Marietta hosts Heidelberg University next Saturday (Oct. 11). Kickoff is set for 2:30 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.