Marietta Preview

Raiders To Host Pioneers In Week #8

Mount Union College, winner of an NCAA-best 35 consecutive games, returns home on Saturday, November 2, to take on Marietta College as part of Service Day at the College. Kick off from Mount Union Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.

The Pioneers (2-5, 1-5 OAC) are coming off a 32-31 victory over Wilmington on Saturday, Oct. 26. They opened the season with a win against Bluffton (28-21) before suffering losses to Otterbein (34-27), Capital (35-0), Heidelberg (38-27), John Carroll (46-0) and Ohio Northern (42-10).

Offensively, Marietta is led by quarterback Justin Papania (89-147/.605 /1,019 yds/ 7 TDs/ 6 INTs), running back Steven Wagner (70 att/355 yds/ 5.1 ypc/ 4 TDs), and wide receivers Brian Haines (32 rec/9.8 ypc/ 3 TDs) and Mike Valiante (26 rec/15.0 ypc/2 TDs).

Defensively, Marietta is paced by linebackers Jason Shaw (71 hits/6 tfl/2 sacks) who ranks third overall in the OAC in tackles, and Nate Brownrigg (57 hits), who is sixth in the OAC in hits.

Mount Union (7-0, 6-0 OAC) enters week #8 in sole possession of first place in the OAC. The Raiders have wins over Wisc. Whitewater (44-21), Baldwin-Wallace (28-21), Muskingum (49-3), Otterbein (55-0), Heidelberg (61-0), John Carroll (35-16) and Capital (38-22).

Offensively, the Raiders are paced by the league's leading rusher and scorer - Dan Pugh (164 att/960 yds/5.9 ypc/17 total TDs). The Raider passing game features quarterback Rob Adamson (47-83/.578/861 yds/12 TDs/6 INTs), wide receiver Randell Knapp (17 rec/19.2 ypc/ 4 TDs), wide receiver Derrick Leach (15 rec/21.8 ypc/4 TDs) and tight end Josh Liddell (21 rec/14.2 ypc/ 1 TD).

Defensively, Mount Union is led by end Matt Campbell (48 hits/15 tfl/9 sacks), who had a career-best 3 sacks/15 hit/6 tfl performance against Capital last week, middle linebackers Shaun Spisak (32 hits) and Josh Church (34 hits), and end Chris Carter (33 hits/10 tfl/3 sacks).

Marietta enters the contest ranked eighth in the conference offensively (289.9 ypg) and ninth defensively (440.6 ypg). The Pioneers are seventh in scoring offense (17.7 ppg) and ninth in points allowed (36.1 ppg). They are seventh in turnover margin (-5).

Mount Union ranks first in the conference in total offense (489.4 ypg) and team defense (217.0 ypg). The Raiders lead the league in scoring (44.3 ppg) and are tied with John Carroll for first in fewest points allowed (11.9 ppg). Mount Union is fifth in turnover margin (0).

Last year's meeting went to Mount Union (47-0). The Raiders have won the last 22 meetings dating back to Marietta's 20-6 win in 1977. Mount Union leads the all-time series (30-9-1).

The coaching match-up features Marietta's Gene Epley (63-92-3/16th year & 45-70-2/11th year at Marietta) and Mount Union Larry Kehres (185-17-3/17th year).

Mount Union, the six-time National Champion ('93, '96, '97, '98, '00, '01), has won or shared 10 consecutive OAC crowns ('92-'01) and 13 overall. Since 1990, the Raiders have the winningest program in all of college football (155-7-1/.957). Since 1992, Mount Union is 106-1 in regular season play. Overall, the Purple & White has won 81 consecutive regular season games, 73 straight OAC contests and 89 of the last 90 games played.

The Raiders will travel to Ohio Northern for a 1:30 p.m. kick-off on Saturday, Nov. 9.