The Wilmington College football team forced three turnovers, but couldn't capitalize, and the Fightin' Quakers lost their third straight game of the season – falling to Marietta Saturday, 34-14, on Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.
"I am not very happy at all. It shows to our lack of focus," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "It's the same individuals we talk about that need to step up offensively. That is a very disappointing effort that we had. We have to better across the board, and us as coaches, we have to be better as coaches and put our guys in better situations."
Miscues by both teams led to first quarter scores.
A bad punt snap on Wilmington's first possession set the Pioneers up with a two-play, four-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead. A botched offensive Marietta snap was scooped up by senior Nick Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairview), who rumbled 15 yards for the score. Five minutes into the game, and the game is tied at seven.
Marietta tallied 13 unanswered points before the Fightin' Quakers scored its lone offensive touchdown of the game. Trailing 20-7, Wilmington secured its second takeaway of the contest as junior David Henry (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) forced a fumble on his sack of the MC quarterback. Sophomore Teqon Scott (Richmond, VA/Varina) pounced on the loose ball on the 44 yardline.
Three plays later, junior Austin Jarbo (Gratis, OH/Preble Shawnee) connected with a streaking Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison) for a 26-yard touchdown with 1:57 remaining in the half. Jarbo finished the game throwing for 93 yards on 10-of-24 passing, one touchdown and two interceptions.
However, the Pioneers restored its double-digit lead, scoring with six seconds left in the second quarter.
For as much scoring as the opening half witnesses, the defenses stiffened in the second half as neither offense found paydirt.
"We talked about at halftime; defense if we had any chance of winning, the defense couldn't let them score," said Hairston. "We played well in the second half, and kept them off the board in the second half. But at the end of the day, we gave up 34 points – and that is not good enough."
Marietta was able to get a late score as Jarbo was hit from behind in the end zone, and the ball popped into the defenders hands for an interception.
Henry led the defense with 13 tackles, two for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, a quarterback hurry and a blocked extra point.
"He is the type of player that is getting each and every week, and eventually, everybody is going to have to know where he is," said Hairston. "The good thing is we have other bodies around him, and if you focus on him, hopefully someone else will make the plays. It's good to see him coming into his own."
Senior Tarrell Starckey (Richmond, VA/Highland Springs) finished with 10 tackles. Senior Amari Bryant (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) had an interception to go along with five tackles.
Junior Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County) gained 93 yards on 31 carries to lead the Wilmington rushing attack.
Sophomore Aroyal Wright (Cincinnati, OH/Newport (KY)) hauled in a team-high six receptions for 42 yards.
Wilmington (1-3 overall, 0-3 OAC) travels to John Carroll 1:30 p.m. October 10.
