The Pioneers’ stout defense faces its toughest test yet against Baldwin Wallace | News, sports, jobs

Marietta College’s Brady Panucci (21) and Brady McManaway (22) celebrate after a play during a game against Ohio Northern earlier this season at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

No matter how you look at it, Marietta College has one of the best defenses in the country.

Whether it’s scoring defense (second in the nation), total defense (fifth), run defense (11th) or pass defense (24th), the Pioneers have one of the toughest units to play against Be able to move the ball.

Head coach Andy Waddle’s Marietta squad has a 6-0 record and is outscoring its opponents 278-47, but the program’s biggest test of the season awaits this Saturday when Baldwin Wallace comes to town.

The Yellow Jackets are 4-2, but their two setbacks come against Mount Union and John Carroll, longtime leaders of the Ohio Athletic Conference. Last week BW found itself in a battle with JCU and ultimately lost 20-16. This week the Yellow Jackets storm Don Drumm Stadium to recover and spoil MC’s homecoming. Kick-off is at 2 p.m

“Our guys work really well together” Waddle said of his defense. “We have some really smart people on our defensive line that allow us to do different things from a pressure standpoint.

“It should also be noted that (defensive coordinator) coach (Zack) Feltrop and coach (Thomas) Hinkle are doing a great job leading this group. Coach Feltrop is a really good coordinator and comes up with some great plans.”

Baldwin Wallace is led by one of the best passers in the OAC, quarterback Charlie Bubonics. Bubonics is 138 for 191 with 1,404 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions. His leading receivers were Tim Conwell (27 catches, 338 yards, six touchdowns), Oliver Kelleher (21 catches, 294 yards, four TDs) and Vinny Lomeo (21 catches, 269 yards, four TDs). Something has to give as Marietta’s pass defense is only allowing 144.7 yards per game.

“Every week it seems like we keep telling the guys that this week is going to be a bigger test than last week and by and large that has proven to be true.” Waddle said. “Baldwin Wallace has the best quarterback we’ve ever seen. He is a really confident player in the pocket. He has a really good arm, puts the ball in play on time and just has everything you need. They have some talent around him, with an experienced offensive line and some talented players that have both size and speed.”

Cornerbacks Jaelon Quiero-Gordon and OC Nurse and safeties Brady Panucci and Sal Laure lead a Marietta secondary that shuts down opposing receivers.

“Brady Panucci, our senior safety, is a great quarterback on defense and makes sure we all do the right things on the field.” Waddle said.

It doesn’t hurt to have one of the best pass rushers in the country in Chance Knight, who ranks second in the country with 9 1/2 sacks. Quarterbacks simply didn’t have enough time to make decisions when playing Marietta.

“Chance Knight is an absolute force at defensive tackle.” Waddle said. “I think he’s the best defensive player in the country in Division III. He is in the middle of the action. He clogs things up in the run game and is a good pass rusher.”

If BW wants to play the ball, George Linberger is the right guy. Linberger completed 69 carries for 307 yards and a touchdown. The Pioneers are only giving up 53.2 rushing yards per game, although that has partly to do with teams being too big and having to throw the ball more.

Inside linebackers Harley Hopkins (49 tackles, 8 1/2 tackles for loss) and Brady McManaway (two interceptions) also contributed significantly to Marietta’s defensive success.

“We have a really talented pair of linebackers.” Waddle said. “They have a knack for finding the ball and making plays.”

The Pioneers are allowing 7.83 points per game and 197.8 total yards per game. The offenses only take advantage of 25% of their third down opportunities against MC.

While Marietta’s defense has been elite, the offense has carried more than its weight this season.

The running back tandem of Taz Morris (78 carries, 453 yards, five touchdowns) and Vante’ Hodges (46 carries, 417 yards, five touchdowns) was explosive.

Quarterback Connor Vierstra seems to reach a new milestone every week, most recently surpassing 7,000 passing yards and setting a new school record for career completions. Vierstra is 104 for 151 for 1,390 yards, 15 TDs and four picks this year.

“Connor was excellent” Waddle said. “Part of that is because he was our starter for many years. He has continually improved from his first year as a starter to where he is now. He’s as tough a player as you’ll find. He approaches the game in a really disciplined way. (Offensive coordinator Reed) Florence has done an outstanding job with him over the last three seasons and you can really see the progress he has made in that time.”

Dawson Snyder (40 catches, 470 yards, six TDs) and Jay Melchiori (22 catches, 405 yards, four TDs) were the team’s most consistent outside playmakers.

BW’s Jordan Smith has four sacks this season and is someone the Pioneers need to keep an eye on when they have the ball.

The Yellow Jackets are coached by Jim Hilvert, who is in his eighth season at the helm and is 5-2 in his career against Marietta. Last year the Pioneers beat BW 42-21 in Berea.

“We have to play better on special teams than we do in some other games.” Waddle noted. “It is always important to prevent fluctuations. Defensively, don’t allow big plays. It will be a challenge.”