TIFFIN, Ohio — Tanner Clark dove in from a yard out with just over a minute remaining to give Marietta College the 38-34 victory over Heidelberg University Saturday (Oct. 6) afternoon in Ohio Athletic Conference football action.
The Pioneers improve to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the OAC. Marietta is 5-0 for the first time since 1923. Heidelberg falls to 3-2 on the season and 2-2 in league play.
"I love the fact that this team finds a way to win. We have out moments when we do some really good things and it can be ugly at times," marietta head coach Andy Waddle said. "But the one thing that has been consistent is when the game is on the line the guys have found a way to get it done and that's a testament to our seniors."
Marietta received the opening kickoff and marched to the Heidelberg 1-yard line before turning the ball over on a fumble. The Pioneers had five first half possessions and moved the ball inside the red zone all five times producing three touchdowns and a 25-yard Jimmy Embrescia field goal.
The Pioneers got on the board first when Darrien Fields connected with Ryan Van Meter on a 28-yard touchdown. The pair hooked up again in the second quarter on a 5-yard scoring strike. Van Meter finished the day with 7 catches for 88 yards and the pair of touchdowns.
Despite playing without leading receiver Andrew Barker who was out with an injury, Fields completed passes to eight different Pioneers. He threw for 242 yards on 19-of-29 passes.
"Darrien was outstanding in the first half," waddle said. "Then in the fourth quarter he gets the snap dribbled back to him on fourth and one and he goes and makes a huge play for the first down. There aren't a lot of guys that make that play."
Clark scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns with eight seconds left in the first half giving the Pioneers a 24-21 lead at halftime.
The second half was a back and forth affair with the Student Princes grabbing the lead after scoring the only points of the third quarter. Jace Grossman capped a 9-play, 73-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run to put Heidelberg ahead, 28-24.
Marietta answered with a quick scoring drive covering 75 yards in only five plays. Clark scampered the final 24 yards for his second touchdown. Embrescia added the point after for a 31-28 Pioneer advantage.
Trace Reynolds, who threw for 183 yards and rushed for another 142 yards to lead the Berg, connected with Maceo Matthews on a 7-yard score, but Austin Baker's point after attempt was blocked giving the Student Princes a 34-31 lead with 10:52 left in the fourth quarter.
Heidelberg appeared to have control of the game when Fields was picked off on Marietta's first play of the ensuing possession.
But the Pioneer defense came up with a huge defensive stand. After allowing a 12-yard run by Reynolds, Marietta posted back-to-back sacks forcing the Student Princes to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The snap was low and Baker never got a chance for the field goal as the Marietta defense smothered the holder giving the ball back to Marietta with 7:46 left in the game.
Marietta went to its strength and fed Heidelberg a steady dose of Clark, who ran the ball nine times during the 14-play, 67-yard winning drive. For the game, Clark had 34 carries for 232 yards and three TDs.
Any hopes for the Berg were dashed when Jake Tracewell intercepted Reynolds at midfield.
Marietta returns home to host Wilmington College for Homecoming next Saturday (Oct. 13). Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Don Drumm Stadium.
Marietta outlasts Heidelberg 38-34 to stay perfect on the season
/seasons/2018/boxscores/20181006_m5yn.xml
2018
Marietta
38
Heidelberg
34
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta (5-0) | 10 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 38 |
| Heidelberg (3-2) | 7 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 34 |
Oct 06, 2018