TIFFIN -- The No. 24 Heidelberg University Football made too many uncharacteristic mistakes, resulting in a 24-13 loss to Marietta College on Senior Day.
Heidelberg slipped to 6-2 overall, 4-2 in the OAC. The Pioneers improved to 5-3, 4-3.
The Student Princes scored first, with quarterback
Alex Arledge falling into the end zone on a tush-push from the one.
Gryffin Bradley added the extra point -- giving HU a 7-0 lead with 55 seconds left in the first.
On the ensuing drive,
Tai Peterson made a leaping interception of a Marietta pass deep in 'Berg territory. Heidelberg was unable to move the ball forward and was forced to punt. The snap was mishandled and the Pioneers took over on the HU one-yard line. They tied the game two plays later.
The Pioneers added a field goal on their next drive and took a 10-7 lead into halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, dominated by both defenses, the Pioneers scored an insurance touchdown early in the fourth. Ahead 17-7, they tacked on another score on a pick-six by Jonah Asebrook.
In desperation mode, Heidelberg scored the final touchdown of the game late in the fourth. Backup quarterback
Lance Rickle scored on a 10-yard scramble on 4th-and-8. The two-point try was intercepted.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
Arledge was 27-for-45 passing for 287 yards and three interceptions … Rickle was the leading rusher for the Student Princes, amassing 50 yards on eight carries …
Mason Villarreal made 8 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a 4th-down sack on the game's opening drive.
UP NEXT:
Heidelberg is on the road to Capital University next Saturday for the penultimate regular season matchup. Kickoff in Columbus is scheduled for 1:30 p.m
