TIFFIN, Ohio — The Maryville College football team battled Heidelberg through three quarters before the Student Princes pulled away in the fourth, handing the Scots a 40-14 setback in the 2026 season opener Saturday at Hoernemann Stadium.
Maryville, which begins the season 0-1, trailed 19-0 early in the second quarter before finding its footing offensively. The Scots scored twice in the final eight minutes of the first half and early in the third quarter to pull within five, but Heidelberg responded with three fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure the victory.
Heidelberg opened the scoring with a pair of first-quarter field goals from Gryffin Bradley, including a 37-yarder with 2:09 remaining in the opening period. The Student Princes added a 1-yard touchdown run from Alex Arledge early in the second quarter before Arledge connected with Aiden Bradshaw on an 86-yard touchdown pass with 3:11 left in the half.
Maryville answered just before halftime.
Freshman quarterback Jaxon Dabrowski capped an 85-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with only eight seconds remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown, followed by Jackson White's extra point, cut Heidelberg's advantage to 19-7 heading into the break.
The Scots carried that momentum into the third quarter. Maryville put together a lengthy 84-yard scoring drive that consumed more than 10 minutes and ended with another Dabrowski rushing touchdown, this time from two yards out with 4:54 remaining in the period. White's extra point made it a 19-14 game.
Maryville's defense then kept the Scots within striking distance, but Heidelberg broke the game open in the final quarter.
Bradshaw caught his second touchdown of the afternoon, hauling in a 21-yard pass from Arledge with 8:47 remaining. Less than two minutes later, Arledge found Mason Mossbarger for a 24-yard touchdown, and Parker Brylen followed with a 69-yard touchdown run with 5:12 remaining to complete a 21-point fourth quarter for the Student Princes.
Dabrowski led the Maryville offense in his collegiate debut, rushing 16 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns while completing 19 of 29 passes for 146 yards without an interception. He accounted for both of the Scots' touchdowns.
Junior Jalen McCullough provided a major target in the passing game, finishing with eight receptions for 84 yards, while senior Erozinis Edmondson added three catches for 48 yards.
On the ground, senior DaRell Brown carried 13 times for 43 yards, while sophomore Zulu Mushaba recorded seven carries for one yard. Mushaba also caught one pass for three yards.
Defensively, sophomore Caden Walker and sophomore John Wolfenbarger each recorded five tackles. Junior Camren Gunn added four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, while also forcing a fumble. Junior Jacquese Abner recorded an interception for the Scots.
Maryville finished the afternoon with 286 yards of total offense, including 116 rushing yards and 170 passing yards. The Scots converted 6-of-16 third downs and 3-of-4 fourth downs, but were hampered by nine penalties for 100 yards and five sacks allowed.
Heidelberg generated 428 yards of offense, including 299 passing yards and 129 rushing yards. The Student Princes' passing attack produced three touchdowns, while Bradshaw finished with six receptions for 199 yards and two scores.
The Scots return to action next weekend for their home opener against Hanover.
