Zachary Worstell
zdw001@marietta.edu
The 2023 college football season started strong for Marietta College. As receiver, Dawson Snyder, scored three touchdowns to help the Pioneers to a 31-7 victory over St. John Fisher University Cardinals on Saturday, September 2nd. Among Snyder’s touchdowns included an impressive 97-yard kick return in the second quarter.
The visiting school, St. John Fisher, would receive the opening kick at Don Drumm Stadium. The Cardinals’ first drive resulted in a 45-yard field goal attempt that missed right. As for the Pioneer’s first drive, Senior All-American running back Bryce Agnew got the offense into the redzone off a 35-yard run before ending the drive on a 1-yard touchdown dive.
The Cardinals responded in the second quarter with a six play 80-yard drive ending in a 45-yard touchdown pass. This would be the last scoring drive from St. John Fisher as Marietta went on to score 24 unanswered points. Snyder returned a kickoff and caught a 28-yard pass from senior Quarterback Connor Vierstra for two touchdowns before halftime. In the second half, Snyder added a 2-yard touchdown catch and freshman kicker Matthew Gossett sank a 28-yard field goal to solidify the 31-7 win.
The Pioneer offense finished with Vierstra completing 19-of-24 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions, Snyder accounting for 206 yards of offense including his kick return, and Agnew carrying the ball 20 times for 93 yards.
As for the Pioneer defense, linebacker Harley Hopkins notched a sack and interception, while Mahleek Milton added a sack and Eric Thurman an interception. Joe Miscia led the defense in tackles with 14 on the day.
Marietta is off next week but will be back to host the No. 2 ranked Mount Union Purple Raiders on Saturday, September 16th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
