Turnovers costly in Marietta's 31-6 loss to visiting John Carroll
Pioneers throw five interceptions and fumble once against the Blue Streaks

Oct. 11, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College football team turned the ball over on six different occasions in a 31-6 loss to visiting Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) rival John Carroll University Saturday (Oct. 11) afternoon at Don Drumm Stadium. The Pioneers fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the OAC. The Blue Streaks improved to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.

Marietta's offense racked up 160 yards on the ground and 156 yards through the air to total 316 yards against John Carroll. The Blue Streaks, who led 14-6 at the half, finished with 347 yards of total offense—73 yards rushing and 274 yards passing. For the second straight week, Marietta dominated the time of possession, holding onto the ball for 33:21 while on defense for 26:39.

Pioneer junior quarterback Dexter Hughes (Woodsfield/Monroe Central) completed 11-of-23 pass attempts and threw for 156 yards but was picked off five times on the day. Sophomore wide receiver Cory Kriechbaum (Marietta) pulled in a team-high five receptions for 47 yards. Junior wide out Marty Mueller (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) added two catches for 52 yards, including one catch for 36 yards but fumbled on the play to account for the sixth turnover. Senior tailback Garrett Banks (Barberton) led all ball carriers with 24 rushes for 87 yards. Junior teammate Lamar Hunter (South Euclid/Brush) added 15 carries for 65 yards. Senior place kicker Corey Lemke (Loudonville) accounted for all of Marietta's points by hitting two field goals, the first from 36 yards in the first quarter and the second from 32 yards in the second frame.

John Carroll senior quarterback Mark Petruziello finished the day 24-of-45 and threw for 267 yards and two scores. He also ran nine times for 28 yards, including a five-yard touchdown. Senior running back Tyler Gingrich added nine more carries for 33 yards and caught five passes for 50 yards. Gingrich had a 17-yard and a 10-yard touchdown reception. Petruziello's favorite target was senior wide out Frank Ross, who caught six passes for 77 yards. Senior place kicker Josiah Kedzior added a 40-yard field goal and also threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to senior linebacker Michael Nettling on a fake field goal in the third quarter.

Junior defensive back George Davis (Warren/Newton Falls) paced Marietta's tacklers with seven total hits, all solo. Senior linebacker Grant Cowell (Perrysville/Loudonville) added six stops, also all solo. Sophomore defensive end Adam Tate (Chesterhill/Federal Hocking) contributed four tackles, including Marietta's lone sack.

John Carroll's defense was led by Nettling, who had 13 tackles and two interceptions. Senior Derek Buell added seven total stops and one interception. For other players had six tackles in the game, while sophomore Cory Brady finished with four tackles, including two sacks.

Marietta is back in action on Saturday (Oct. 18) afternoon when the Pioneers travel to Ada, Ohio, for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff with Ohio Northern University. The Polar Bears (1-4, 1-3 OAC) picked up their first win of the season today with a 41-0 victory at Heidelberg.