GREENVILLE, Pa. — Five interceptions helped Marietta College top Thiel College 28-7 Saturday at Alumni Stadium, giving the Pioneers a season-opening win over the Tomcats for the second straight year.

The two teams were stuck in a 7-7 stalemate after three quarters before Marietta broke away with some big plays in the final frame. The first, a 70-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Keller to Jahmaal Jones in the first minute of the fourth quarter put the Pioneers up for good.

Trailing 14-7, the Tomcats quickly moved into Pioneer territory with a 49-yard pass from freshman Andrew Smith (Williamsfield, Ohio, Pymatuning Valley) to Tyler DeJong (Columbiana, Ohio, Columbiana), but the drive stalled following two short runs, a false start penalty and an incomplete pass. Thiel lined up to punt but a bad snap forced a broken play that resulted in a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by Marietta's Joe WIlliams.

Another interception for a touchdown, this time a 16-yard score by Robert Brown with 3:38 left in the game, put the Pioneers up 28-7.

For three quarters it appeared Saturday's game might go down to the wire. Marietta struck first with a 55-yard run by Keller late in the first quarter. Keller, who also had a big game against the Tomcats last year, finished with 62 yards on the ground and threw for 106 yards and a score.

Thiel had a chance to tie the game at the end of the first half. The defense gave the Tomcats good field position with Ryan Dawes (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds)' fumble recovery at the Marietta 23-yard line. After a pair of first downs, the Tomcats faced a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line when freshman Jared Soell (Oakmont, Pa./Riverview)'s pass across the middle was picked off in the end zone.

The defense continued its solid play in the third quarter and the young offense showed improvement as well with a 12-play, game-tying touchdown drive. The drive, which went 51 yards, was capped by a 3-yard run by Ross Gargano (Sharon, Pa., Kennedy Catholic). Berend Grube (Venetia, Pa./Peters Twp.)'s kick knotted the score at 7-7.

Aside from the two long touchdown plays, the Tomcat defense performed well. Bobby Shew (Mogadore, Ohio, Mogadore), who finished with nine tackles and two sacks, and Tim Taylor (Girard, Pa., Erie Cathedral Prep), who tallied eight tackles, repeatedly stuffed the Pioneer rushers at the line of scrimmage. Matt Shields (North Jackson, Ohio, Jackson-Milton) and Joe Kelly (Ashtabula, Ohio, Lakeside) forced fumbles while Ethan Ludwig (East Liverpool, Ohio, East Liverpool) had an interception for a defense that allowed just 14 points and 224 yards.

Offensively, the Tomcats outgained the Pioneers with 239 total yards. They showed improvement in the running game with 76 yards on the ground compared to six in last season's opener. DeJong led the receivers with three catches for 98 yards while Gargano was the main rushing threat with 67 yards.

Tony Rozzi (Harrisburg, Pa., Central Dauphin), a second team All-PAC selection for Thiel last season, landed four of his six punts inside the 20-yard line.

The Tomcats will travel to Widener on Saturday for a non-conference matchup. The game is part of the MAC-PAC Challenge.

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