Robert Nelson
rjn001@marietta.edu
Kylee McBride
krm001@marietta.edu
Marietta College football is fully back in action and ready to build on an impressive 2018 season. The football team stomped the first opponent, at Hiram College, by a score of 41-0. Marietta’s defense created a shut-out, which was the first in 15 years. Marietta Receiver, Andrew Barker, tied the school’s touchdown record with three touchdowns. First-year starter at QB, Kyle McSweeney, drove the passing game, completing 21-34 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Tanner Clark drove the run game with 116 yards on 26 carries. Brent McClure led the team in tackles with seven, and Vic Giovengo and Boone Jones each snagged a pick. Overall, Marietta won in a fairly dominant fashion.
Week two of Pioneer football ended in another large victory, as the Pios defeated Capital University, again away, by a score of 44-7 to go 2-0. In this game, Marietta’s entire offensive line had never started a college game before this season. They helped running backs Tanner Clark and Justin Bell rush for a total of 168 yards, while Clark grabbed a pair of rushing touchdowns. Andrew Barker caught a pair of touchdowns, and tight-end Bobby Cashaw caught one. Marietta’s defense accounted for Marietta’s final 10 points, as Kyle Gallagher picked off a pass to set up a 29-yard field goal, and Darius Hatch picked off another and returned that for a touchdown. Again, the Pios fought their way to victory.
The following week, Marietta College students got the chance to show their loved ones what it means to be a pioneer. Family Weekend is a three-day event that students often take advantage of during the fall semester to show their parents and siblings their dorm rooms, take them to sporting events, and give them a tour of their favorite spots around the city of Marietta.
This year’s family weekend was set for Friday, September 20, to Sunday, September 22. There were plenty of events around campus for students and parents to enjoy together, starting with Bid-Day for the Greek-Life organizations on campus. Saturday morning, students who went through Greek life recruitment were able to share the special moment of finding out which sorority or fraternity they were chosen to be a part of for the remainder of the rest of their lives.
Freshman Lizzie Stern spent family weekend with her parents and younger brother, who traveled from Wheeling, WV. “My favorite part was the tailgate—I got to introduce my family to my new friends and then they got to see me cheer at my first college football game,” said Stern. Stern and her family also attended campus events like showing families around campus. Before Saturday’s tailgate, Stern also gave her family a tour of the Alpha Xi house that she found out would be her new home on Bid Day.
Photo by Rebecca Wheeler
In the midst of these festivities, football was back at it again against rival Muskingum University. The Pioneers snuck out of a close one with the victory, 31-25, and were able to retain the Shrine Trophy, which these two teams battle for annually. The Muskies started off the game with a 9-0 lead, but the Pioneers were able to respond and score two touchdowns in a matter of 14 seconds. Tanner Clark ran the ball angry, as he finished with 39 carries, 214 yards, and three touchdowns. This game he was selected to wear number 38 to honor late teammate, Joel Wunnenberg. The team continues to keep Wunnenberg a staple of their team, as they continue to remember to give their best day in and day out, as no day should be taken for granted. Clark ran with a fire behind him that truly made the honorary experience touching.
The Pioneers will be back in action after their bye week against a tough opponent, Ohio Northern University. In the previous two years, this game was decided by less than one score. Last year, the Pios were able to convert on a two-point attempt and win by one point. This game will take place on October 5th at Ohio Northern University, with kickoff being set for 1:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the webpage at https://pioneers.marietta.edu/sports/football.
