The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Buckeyes’ Haskins one of Big Ten’s best players
No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Michigan have the best players on both sides of the ball midway through the season. Buckeyes and Wolverines are also the only Big Ten teams without a conference loss.
Marietta coach Andy Waddle knows the challenge ahead of his football team Oct. 20 against John Carroll.
“They’re No. 10 in the nation, and probably underrated,” said Waddle said of the 5-1 Blue Streaks, who are No. 10 in this week’s D3football.com Top 25 poll.
As for Waddle’s team, it’s 6-0 and on the surface one of the surprise teams in the nation in Division III. The coach sees it different.
“Our schedule this season was set up that the six teams we beat last year were the six teams we started this season with,” said Waddle. “This is where we knew we could be.
“Now we have to take the next step. We have to find a way to beat the four teams that beat us last year. Our guys have that as a grounder, and it’s kept us focused.”
Like John Carroll in 2017, Marietta was 6-4 last season. It’s four losses were to the Blue Streaks, Baldwin Wallace, Otterbein and Mount Union. That’s how the Pioneers, in order, will finish this season.
A win at Don Shula Stadium Oct. 20 would be historic. Marietta has never beaten JCU. It’s 0-29-1 against the Blue Streaks. The tie (2121) occurred in 1995. It’s the only team in the current Ohio Athletic Conference that JCU is unbeaten against all-time.
“John Carroll is an awesome football team, and we know that,” said Waddle. “We’re preparing to figure out a way to win the game. It’s a big challenge, and our job is to prepare and believe.”
The Pioneers are averaging 46 points and 491 yards, and have talent at two key positions. Senior quarterback Darrien Fields has thrown for 1,490 yards and 17 touchdowns, and running back Tanner Clark has 1,056 rushing yards and 16 TDs. Up front, there are four senior offensive lineman.
A few other key stats that have buoyed Marietta’s 6-0 start include just eight sacks allowed, and five turnovers committed by the offense.
Those numbers could be tested against the JCU defense, which leads the nation in Division III with 33 sacks. The unit has also created 15 turnovers - nine interceptions and six fumble recoveries.
“We don’t have a magic play that will stop them from being talented,” said Waddle.
The biggest test for Marietta could be defensively. It’s allowing an average of 32 points and 460 yards. That could be a bad sign with the JCU offense coming off its best offensive performance of 2018.
The Blue Streaks scored a season high in points in their 49-17 win at Ohio Northern, as were the 550 yards of total offense amassed.
Michael Canganelli (Mayfield) has emerged as the go-to player on offense. The sophomore running back has a team-high 541 rushing yards and eight total TDs, and 906 all-purposed yards.
QB Anthony Moeglin had his best game of the season against Ohio Northern with 254 passing yards and two TD passes, plus 126 rushing yards.
“You gotta grade the offense really high,” said JCU coach Rick Finotti after the ONU win. “It was great to see (the offense) get on track. I just know how hard we’re working. We were a little overdue.”
So is Marietta against John Carroll.
“Our guys have to go out and execute. It’s that simple for us,” said Waddle.