WILMINGTON, Ohio — Marietta College turned three Wilmington College turnovers into 20 points as the Pioneers defeated the Quakers, 44-14, Saturday (Nov. 1) afternoon. The Pioneers improve to 4-4 overall and 3-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Wilmington falls to 3-5 on the season and 1-5 in the OAC.

Marietta's first two touchdowns came after the Pioneer defense forced Wilmington turnovers. Jonah Asebrook (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) forced a fumble that was recovered by Taison Starr (Barnesville, Ohio/Barnesville) at the Quaker 35-yard line. Four plays later, Benny Lewis (Sanderson, Fla./Baker County) ran it in from 11 yards out for the first score of the game. The point after attempt was no good.

On Wilmington's next possession, Starr intercepted an Isaac Ross pass giving the ball back to the Pioneers at the Quaker 40-yard line. Marietta converted two fourth down attempts before Vante' Hodges (Horn Lake, Miss./Horn Lake) dove in from two yards out for the Pioneer touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

Wilmington responded with the longest drive of the game. The Quakers started at their own 15-yard line and took nearly nine minutes off the clock before Ross capped an 18-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run cutting the deficit to six, 13-7.

The Pioneers answered right back. Joe Tenta (Palm Bay, Fla./Heritage) hit John Sierputowski (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) on a 68-yard pass on third down from the Marietta 6-yard line. Three plays later, Lewis ran it in from seven yards out for the score.

With two minutes left in the half, Wilmington turned the ball over on downs on its next possession and the Pioneers took advantage. Tenta connected with Dalton Miller (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready) on a 20-yard scoring strike pushing the Marietta lead to 27-7.

De'Anta Sanon grabbed the momentum back for the Quakers when he returned the kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.

The first half scoring wasn't done as Marietta took over at its own 26-yard line with 50 seconds left on the clock. Tenta completed four straight passes including two to Kenyon Franklin (Gallipolis, Ohio/Gallia Academy) for 32 and 9 yards moving the ball to the Quaker 23-yard line. The Pioneers ran out of time and settled for a 26-yard field from Nathaniel Demuth (New Philadelphia, Ohio/New Philadelphia) and led 30-14 at halftime.

The Pioneers held the Quakers scoreless in the second half and added a pair of touchdowns of their own. Hodges scored on a 12-yard run and then Brady McManaway (Pleasant City, Ohio/Meadowbrook) sealed the game with a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Tenta completed 20-of-30 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown. Hodges rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Lewis had 12 carries for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sierputowski had four catches for 107 yards.

Ross completed 13-of-30 passes for the Quakers throwing for 165 yards. He was picked off twice. Amare Middleton had six catches for 86 yards.

Marietta returns home to host No. 2 ranked Mount Union Saturday (Nov. 8). 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.