(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - The Quakers were defeated by the Marietta College Pioneers 44-14 at home on Saturday afternoon.
Wilmington fell behind early in the first quarter. The Quakers received the opening kickoff but went four-and-out on their opening drive. Marietta marched down and attempted a 24-yard field goal but the kick was no good. On the Quakers' ensuing drive, Isaac Ross found De'Anta Sanon for a 15-yard completion, but Sanon fumbled and Marietta got the ball right back after just one play. The Pioneers took advantage of the good field position and scored four plays later. Marietta's PAT was not good.
The Quakers looked to get into rhythm on their next drive but on the second play Ross threw an interception. Marietta strung a 13-play drive together and scored after converting a 4th and 2nd attempt at Wilmington's 19-yard line to take a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.
Trailing by two scores, Wilmington was able to build a strong drive. A steady combination of rushes and passes put the Quakers on the board. Demarco Owens, who gained 20 yards on the ground. Ross found Amare Middleton for a pair of catches for 19 and 10 yards, Xander Logan for nine yards, and Sanon for 13 yards. On 2nd and goal from the two-yard line, Ross kept the option and ran through a defender into the endzone to put the Quakers down 13-7.
With eight minutes to go in the second quarter, the Pioneers took over. Marietta's passing and ground game had been trouble for Wilmington all afternoon. The Pioneers drove down and scored in eight plays to take a 20-7 lead over the Quakers.
The Quakers struggled to gain yards on their next drive. After a first down on the next set of downs, Ross found Sanon open on 4th and 4, but the two were unable to complete the attempt. Marietta took over around half-field and was able to score a touchdown in five plays to take a 27-7 lead with just over a minute left in the second quarter. Sanon took the following kickoff to the house for a 94-yard touchdown return to put the Quakers down 27-14.
With 50 seconds left in the second quarter, Marietta quickly drove down the field and settled for a 26-yard field goal as time expired to head into halftime leading 30-14.
Both defenses improved in the second half, as only two touchdowns were scored. On the Pioneers' opening drive out of the break, Nick Morrow intercepted a pass and had a 10-yard return to set Wilmington up nicely by midfield. The Quakers were unable to mount a drive following the turnover and punted after three plays. Each team punted and went three-and-out on the next two drives.
Marietta was able to recollect themselves after the interception and four-and-out. On the Pioneers' third drive of the third quarter, Marietta marched down to Wilmington's 11-yard line. Running back Benny Lewis took the snap and cut through the middle for 10 yards, but Nathan Nemeth forced a fumble at the one-yard line. Jarrett Thompson recovered the fumble in the endzone for a touchback to set the Wilmington offense up at the 25-yard line.
Wilmington strung together a solid drive with another good combination through the air and on the ground. On 3rd and 16, Ross found Xander Logan for 17 yards to move the chains. The Quakers drove down the field and attempted a 27-yard field goal, but Camden Marx's attempt was no good to open the fourth quarter.
The Pioneers relied heavily on their run game for the next drive. Seven rushing attempts for 58 yards and a touchdown to go ahead 37-14, which included a 4th and 3rd conversion on a fake-punt that was directly snapped to a lineman. Ross threw an interception that Marietta returned for a touchdown to lead 44-14 on the following drive for Wilmington.
Isaiah Henderson took over for Ross after the pick-six and put together a solid drive but was unable to convert a 4th and 8 pass attempt. Marietta took over and ran the clock down to secure a 44-14 over Wilmington.
Notables
What's Up Next
Wilmington will be on the road to face Heidelberg University on Saturday, November 8th, at 1:30 P.M.
