Box Score

Richmond, Ind. – The Oberlin College football team used a big second half to earn its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon by spoiling Homecoming for the Earlham College Quakers with a 19-13 victory.

“It was great to finally get some breaks today and make this win happen,” Head Coach Jeff Ramsey said. “Our kids fought hard and battled like they have all year long and I am happy that they were rewarded for their efforts today.”

Rookie quarterback David Kalgren threw for a career-high 142 yards on 19-of-33 passing to go along with one interception and one touchdown. He also rushed the ball 17 times for a team-high 66 yards and one score.

Kalgren completed passes to seven different Yeomen with Ryan Harvey and Cory Kidd leading the way with four catches. Fellow first-year Robin Witjes led all Oberlin pass catchers with 36 yards.

After a sluggish opening quarter by both teams, the Quakers finally broke through with 10 minutes left in the first half on a 9-yard TD catch by Bryan Foreman to cap a 14-play, 75-yard drive that took 7:09 off of the clock.

A fumble recovery by Drew Mixter at the 50-yardline with 4:06 left in the second quarter gave the Yeomen a golden opportunity to cash in before the half. After earning two first downs already, a pass interference call gave Oberlin a first-and-goal from the 2-yardline, but the Yeomen were turned away on four straight plays to come away with no points.

However, Oberlin did a great job responding to the adversity by tying the game at seven on its first drive of the third quarter. The Yeomen scoring drive was in true workmanlike fashion as they marched 80 yards on 14 plays, taking 8:00 off the clock before Kalgren ran it in from seven yards out.

In the second half it was the Yeomen defense that stepped up big as they created five turnovers over the final 30 minutes of play. After the Oberlin score, Earlham would run just two plays as Derrick Dennis generated the first of those five miscues with his first INT of the season.

On the ensuing possession, the Yeomen took advantage of the short field as Kalgren hooked up with Harvey from three yards out to cap a 9-play drive that covered 40 yards and gave OC a 14-7 lead. In the third quarter Oberlin possessed the ball for 11:55 and ran 23 plays compared to just 3:05 and eight plays for Earlham.

Earlham would run just three plays in fourth quarter before Shawn Chrapczynski would come down with yet another INT for the Yeomen. The Quakers would also put the ball on the ground on their next two possessions as Matt Misorski and Tyler Lewis each came away with fumble recoveries. After a quick three-and-out by Oberlin, the Quakers would turn it over once again as Misorski came down with an interception of his own. This time the Yeomen would finally capitalize with points as Zach Richard converted a 34-yard field goal with 4:38 left to play to make it a 17-7 game.

Earlham (3-4, 1-3 NCAC) wouldn't go away quietly as Kyle Ripperger scored on a 28-yard run with 3:19 left to play. The Yeomen didn't do anything on the ensuing drive, but Kidd's punt pinned the Quakers deep in their own territory, which eventually led to Oberlin's second safety in as many weeks.

Mixter led the Yeomen defense with nine tackles while Ron Rupard added seven of his own. With one interception and one fumble recovery to go along with two tackles, Misorski was named as the Heisman Club Player of the Game.

The Yeomen (1-6, 1-3 NCAC) have a tall task at hand next Saturday when No. 18 Wabash comes town for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Little Giants will be the third Top 25 team the Yeomen have faced this season.