DUBUQUE, Iowa — Early miscues were too much for Marietta College to overcome as the Pioneers dropped their season opener at the University of Dubuque by the score of 30-25 Saturday (Sept. 4) afternoon.
A mishandled punt snap on Marietta's first possession of the game gave Dubuque the ball on the Pioneer 6-yard line. Tiger Geeslin ran it in on the first play from scrimmage for Dubuque giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
After forcing Marietta to punt on its next possession, Dubuque made it 14-0 on a 4-yard pass from Jacob Keller to Elliott Pipkin. The Spartan drive was aided by a pair of Marietta penalties, including a key roughing the passer flag.
Down two scores, the Pioneers attempted a fake punt when their next drive stalled at their own 26-yard line. Logyn Ratliff's pass fell incomplete giving the ball back to Dubuque deep in Marietta territory.
The Spartans struck quickly as Kallion Buckner broke free on the first play scoring on a 26-yard run. Jacob Wolf added the extra point for a 21-0 lead with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
Marietta's offense started to gain traction and moved the ball to the Spartan 15-yard before stalling. The Pioneers attempted a 32-yard field goal, but the Matthew Haus kick was wide right.
Dubuque needed just one play to extend its lead to 28-0. Keller hit DaMon Street for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the drive for a four-score lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Pioneers got on the board just before halftime. Haus connected on a 31-yard field goal with two seconds left on the clock making it 28-3 at the break.
After making some halftime adjustments Marietta scored on its first three possessions of the second half to get within three points, 28-25.
The Pioneers kicked off to start the third quarter and senior All-American Drake Neuberger sacked Brandon Coppola on the first play of the drive forcing the ball loose. Jaelon Quiero-Gordon recovered the ball for Marietta on the 24-yard line.
Marietta moved the ball to the one and quarterback Connor Vierstra ran it in for MC's first touchdown of the afternoon. Haus added the extra point.
The Pioneers forced a three-and-out on Dubuque's next possession. Vierstra connected with Hayden Tanner on a 17-yard touchdown strike to cap a seven-play drive. Haus's kick made it 28-17 with 7:59 left in the third.
Another Spartan turnover gave Marietta the ball in Dubuque territory. Neuberger picked up a UD fumble and returned it 12 yards to the Spartan 30-yard line. Vierstra completed three straight passes on the drive including a 16-yard touchdown to Gage Giovengo.
The Pioneers went for two and Viersta found Bobby Cashaw open in the endzone to make it 28-25 with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
Marietta's defense continued to cause Dubuque problems and forced the Spartans to punt on their five possessions. But the Pioneers couldn't capitalize on three trips into the red zone, including two trips to the UD 1-yard line.
Austin Veatch returned a UD punt to the 2-yard line at the end of the third quarter. Vierstra tried to run it in but was stopped at the 1-yard line on first down. A bad snap on second down pushed the Pioneers back to the 18-yard line. On third down Viertsra was intercepted in the endzone.
Following another Spartan punt, Bryce Agnew broke off a 54-yard run giving the Pioneers a first and goal at the Dubuque 10-yard line. A 1-yard run by Agnew and 8-yard pass from Vierstra to Clay Mastin gave Marietta third and goal at the 1-yard line. Dubuque stuffed Vierstra on third down and Agnew on fourth down to stop the Pioneer drive.
Agnew finished with 122 yards on 21 carries. Vierstra carried the ball six times for 74 yards and one touchdown. He completed 17-of-36 passes for 172 yards, two touchdowns and was picked off twice.
Geeslin rushed for 63 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries, while Buckner had 60 yards and one score on 14 carries. Keller completed 8-of-12 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off once.
Marietta outgained the Spartans, 353 to 317 yards. However, the Pioneers were 0-for-14 on third down conversions in the game.
Marietta hosts rival Muskingum University in two weeks. The annual Shrine Trophy Game will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 18.