Football beats Marietta to reclaim the Shriner Trophy

Football beats Marietta to reclaim the Shriner Trophy

The Muskingum football team beat Ohio Athletic Conference rival Marietta on a sunny Saturday afternoon to reclaim the Shriner Trophy. The Muskies handed the Pioneers a 28-10 setback to improve to 7-1 all-time in the Shriner series.

The Basics

  • Records: Muskingum (2-1 overall, 1-1 OAC), Marietta (0-3 overall, 0-2 OAC)
  • Location: New Concord, Ohio - McConagha Stadium
  • Weather: 78 degrees and sunny
  • Attendance: 1,210

Shriner Game

  • The Shriner series started in 2009 and the Muskies won the first six games. With the win today, Muskingum is 7-1 all-time in the series. Following the contest, Muskingum senior running back Jordan Scanlon and Marietta linebacker Cody Walker were named the Shriner Players of the Game.

First Quarter

  • Muskingum took a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter when senior wide receiver Jordan Turek hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Griffin Degener to cap off a nine-play, 67-yard drive. The touchdown reception was the first of Turek's career.

Second Quarter

  • The Muskies stretched their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter when Scanlon caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Degener. The score ended an 11-play, 64-yard drive.
  • The Pioneers trimmed their deficit to 14-3 on a 34-yard field goal by Jimmy Embrescia with 5:44 to play in the half.
  • Following a successful onside-kick recovery, Marietta orchestrated an eight-play, 39-yard drive that resulted in Nick O'Neal scoring on a two-yard touchdown run. The score pulled the Pioneers to within 14-10 of the Muskies with 2:32 on the clock.
  • Muskingum answered the Marietta surge with a nine-play, 64-yard drive that culminated in Scanlon scoring on a fourth down one-yard plunge with 29 seconds on the clock. 
  • The Muskies took a 21-10 lead into the break.

Fourth Quarter

  • Scanlon added his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run at the 8:17 mark of the fourth quarter. The score ended a nine-play, 43-yard drive and gave Scanlon his first career 100 yard rushing performance. He ended the outing with 21 carries for 100 yards and two scores. He also added two receptions for seven yards and one score.

Inside The Muskie Numbers

  • Muskingum churned out 316 yards of offense and mustered 18 first downs. The Muskies were 7-of-13 on third-down conversions and 4-of-6 in the red zone. Muskingum ended the outing with nearly a 10-minute advantage in time of possession.
  • Degener went 8-of-11 passing for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Sophomore running back Warren Wilson added a career-high 62 yards rushing on nine totes.
  • Sophomore tight end Granger Long led the Muskie receivers with two grabs for 50 yards. 
  • Junior wide out Damon Jones had one catch for 28 yards.
  • The Muskie defense was paced by junior linebacker Mick Fishel with 13 stops.
  • Sophomore defensive back Cle'Von Burch added 10 tackles and one interception.
  • Sophomore safety Tre'Von Potts logged nine hits.
  • Sophomore linebacker Caleb Gaiters had eight tackles and one sack.
  • Senior linebacker Artur Buchner garnered three stops and one sack. 

Inside the Pioneer Numbers

  • Marietta ended the outing with 241 yards of offense and 15 first downs. The Pioneers were 3-of-11 on third-down conversions.
  • Darrien Fields directed the offense going 14-of-20 for 111 yards and one interception.
  • Roger Walker led the rushing attack with 64 yards on 15 totes and O'Neal added 57 yards on 15 carries with one score.
  • Nick Hineman led the receivers with seven receptions for 65 yards.
  • Walker led the defensive effort with 13 stops.
  • The Pioneer defense logged five sacks for 21 yards on the day.

Up Next

  • Muskingum next travels to OAC foe Heidelberg on Saturday, October 1. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m.