MARIETTA -- The Heidelberg University Football team dropped its first road game of the season on Saturday, stumbling at Marietta, 37-14  In a battle between two 4-2 squads, Marietta capitalized on 'Berg miscues en route to the victory -- their first over HU since 2018.  

The Pioneers improved to 5-2 overall, 4-2 in the OAC.  Heidelberg slipped to 4-3, 3-3.  

Marietta took the opening kick and went 66 yards on 12 plays and finished with a field goal. After picking off a pass, the Pioneers took a 10-0 lead.  

Key Cunningham provided a spark in the first, picking off a pass near midfield -- his team-leading fourth interception of the season. He is tied for the league lead with Otterbein's Tayon Howard.  

Unfortunately, HU was unable to maintain the momentum. An interception on 4th-and-13 gave the ball back to the Pioneers.  On the ensuing possession, the hosts grinded out a 13-play, 83-yard touchdown drive.  

After adding another second-quarter touchdown, Marietta led 24-0 at halftime.  

The 'Berg's woes continued in the third. A promising drive was thwarted with a wonky pick-six on a deflected pass.  The PAT was missed, resulting in a 30-0 advantage.  

Heidelberg got on the board on the next possession.  The Berg got big chunks of yardage on a 13-yard pass to TJ Rhamy, a 22-yard run by Rhamy, and a 23-yard pass to Matthew Drdul.  Montavious Yearby found the end zone from 12 yards out.  Branded Steckel tacked on the PAT.  

Down 37-7, Lance Rickle led an HU touchdown drive in relief of starting quarterback Gavin Reineke. Aided by two 3rd-down conversions, The Berg went 69 yards on 11 plays. On 4th-and-3 from the Marietta 20, Rickle found Drdul wide open at the 5-yard line. Drdul caught the pass, spun inside and waltzed into the end zone.  

HU's final drive, which started after Nick McAvoy stuffed Bryce Agnew on 4th-and-2, appeared promising, but fizzled out in the red zone.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:  

Heidelberg's defense picked up four sacks on the day, the second-most in a game this season (Muskingum, 5) … Rickle's touchdown was the first of his collegiate career … Linebacker Trey Farris set a career high with nine tackles.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

Yearby's third-quarter touchdown was the 40th rushing TD of his career -- third-most in school history. He trails Cartel Brooks (63, 2011-14) and Walt Livingston (45, 1953-56) … The loss snaps a string of three straight wins over Marietta. HU is now 

UP NEXT:

Heidelberg returns home to host Wilmington College on Saturday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.