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HIRAM, Ohio — Senior quarterback Kyle McSweeney threw for four touchdowns in his first career start as Marietta College rolled over Hiram College, 41-0, Saturday (Sept. 7) evening in the season-opener for both schools.
"Obviously it's great to get the win, but at the same time the coach in me sees some areas we can improve on," Marietta head coach Andy Waddle said. "We gave up a big play on special teams and at times our offense and defense could have been better."
McSweeney, the Pioneer's back-up the last three seasons, completed 21-of-34 passes for 217 yards and the four scores. He was picked off once. McSweeney wasted no time in hooking up with senior Andrew Barker getting the Pioneers on the board with a 39-yard scoring strike midway through the first quarter.
"I love playing and didn't want to come out in the fourth quarter. Being out there with the guys and being able to experience it was awesome," McSweeney said. "We have some things to fix before next week and just want to keep improving."
"Kyle did some awesome things tonight. There are a couple of plays he left out there, but he really played like a veteran and got us into a lot of really good checks," Waddle said. "I'm really proud of where he is right now and hopefully he will continue to improve."
Barker would finish with four catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Barker also had touchdowns of five and nine yards. Robert Nelson caught five passes for 56 yards, while Kobe Hughlett, Tanner Clark and Ryan VanMeter each had three receptions.
Clark led the Pioneer ground attack with 116 yards on 26 carries. He ran the ball in from two yards out and then caught McSweeney's final TD pass for four yards. Justin Bell ran the ball 10 times for 62 yards and Bryce Agnew had 15 yards on three carries including a three-yard touchdown run.
While the offense was firing on all cylinders, Marietta's defense was turning in a performance Pioneers fans haven't witnessed in 15 years. The shutout was MC's first since the Pioneers blanked Baldwin Wallace26-0 in 2004.
"Credit those guys on defense," Waddle said. "We have a lot of young players on that side of the ball but we are faster than we have been and Coach Feltrop has done a really good job with the defense as a whole."
Marietta limited Hiram to seven first downs. The Terriers managed just 168 yards of total offense, 102 rushing and 66 through the air. The Pioneers sacked Hiram's quarterbacks five times.
Brent McClure led the defense with seven tackles including 1.5 sacks. Drake Neuberger had six tackles, while Vic Giovengo and Boone Jones each picked off a Terrier pass.
Marietta opens Ohio Athletic Conference play next Saturday (Sept. 14) at Capital University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.