MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College quarterback
Joe Tenta (Palm Bay, Fla./Heritage) was sacked on the Ohio Northern 17-yard line as time ran out allowing the Polar Bears to escape with a 20-13 win Saturday (Sept. 12) evening. The Pioneers move to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Ohio Northern is now 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the OAC.
Tenta hit
Dalton Miller (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready) on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:39 left in the game to get the Pioneers within seven, 20-13. The scoring strike capped a 16-play, 75-yard drive for Marietta.
Marietta's onside kick attempt rolled out of bounds giving Ohio Northern the ball on the Pioneer 41-yard line. MC's defense did its job stuffing the Polar Bears on four straight runs, including a fourth and inches, to give Marietta the ball back on its own 32-yard line with 1:06 remaining.
After incomplete passes on the first two plays, Tenta completed four straight passes moving the ball to the ONU 24-yard line. A defensive pass interference call moved the ball to the 17-yard line where Tenta was sacked as time ran out.
Ohio Northern took advantage of three big plays in the game to get the lead. On their first play from scrimmage, Jordan Pettaway broke several tackles and scampered 75 yards for a touchdown.
ONU's Vic Hoelscher and Pettaway combined for a 53-yard kick return which led to a 24-yard field goal by Sean Putt. Finally, Amir Collings hit Mikey Brown on a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Marietta got on the board in the first quarter.
Benny Lewis (Jacksonville, Fla./Baker County) broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked.
Tenta was 24-of-47 for 231 yards and one touchdown. He was picked off three times. Miller finished with 8 catches for 107 yards and one touchdown. Lewis rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown.
Zach Olechnowicz had 32 carries for 79 yards. Pettaway finished with 78 yards and one touchdown on two carries. Collings completed 9-of-11 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown.
Marietta hosts Capital University on Youth Day next Saturday (Sept. 19). 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.
