By Tim Glon

Senior Ryan Malone returned a punt for a touchdown and caught a TD pass to lead Ohio Northern to a 45-0 Homecoming football victory over Marietta Saturday afternoon at Dial-Roberson Stadium.

The Polar Bears improve to 3-3 overall and are 2-3 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, while the Pioneers fall to 0-6, 0-5.

Malone returned a punt 72 yards for a TD and caught a 44-yard touchdown pass and finished the day with 140 yards of total offense.

Junior Patrick Angle completed 14 of 27 passes for 253 yards and three TDs, sophomore Justin Magazine ran 14 times for a career-high 115 yards and a TD and sophomore Devon price caught seven passes for a career-high 152 yards and a score for ONU.

Defensively, junior Steven Kenny tied a career-high with 15 tackles for the Polar Bears.

"We did a good job of making big plays today," ONU head coach Dean Paul said. "Our defense came up with big play after big play. Shutouts are very difficult in the OAC and they did a great job of holding once Marietta got down close. On offense, we ran the ball well and hit some big plays to open up a lead."

Sophomore Andrew DiMario got ONU on the board on its first possession when he connected on a 27-yard field goal just 3:47 into the game.

ONU scored 21 points in a 3:44 span late in the second quarter to take control of the game.

Angle connected with junior Shaile Chamberlain on a 21-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-0 with 5:14 left in the first half.

After the ONU defense forced Marietta into a three-and-out, Malone returned the ensuing punt 72 yards for a score and a 17-0 lead with 2:57 left in the half.

On Northern's next play from scrimmage, Angle hit proce on a 70-yard TD pass and the lead was 24-0 at intermission.

Angle hit Malone on a 44-yard TD pass on the Polar Bears' first possession of the third quarter to make it 31-0.

The lead grew to 38-0 when Magazine plowed over from 1-yard out on Northern's next possession.

Sophomore Connor Devine came off the bench in the fourth quarter and hit sophomore Justin McCray on a 29-yard score with 6:01 left in the game to wrap up the scoring.

Despite the lopsided score, Marietta had several chances to score on ONU, but the Polar Bears would still register their eighth shutout in the friendly confines of Dial-Roberson Stadium.

The Pioneers crossed into ONU territory on 10 of its 15 possessions, but was unable to score.

Northern is now 46-40-4 in its 90 Homecoming games.

ONU out-gained MC 489-281 in total offense.

The Pioneers were led by Tim Conner with 118 yards rushing on 30 carries and by Roger Bush with 98 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

The Polar Bears will be home again next week when the host No. 20-ranked John Carroll at Dial-Roberson Stadium.