Box Score

St. Louis, Mo. – Missed opportunities and untimely penalties hindered the Oberlin College football team as it fell on the road to Washington University, 21-7, on Saturday afternoon.

Despite winning nearly all of the statistical categories, the Yeomen were unable to get on the scoreboard until the final quarter.

When things were all said and done Oberlin had 18 first downs compared to the Bears' eight. Had more total yards with 304 compared to 214 and possessed the ball for 37:38. Unfortunately, none of that added up to a win as the Yeomen fell to 2-5 overall and have now lost four straight.

Quarterback Josh Mandel returned to the starting line-up and threw for 148 yards on 20-of-31 passing. He was also the team's leading rusher with 70 yards on 19 carries and one score. Drew Mixter added to Oberlin's 156 yards on the ground with 68 yards on just 10 carries.

Six different Yeomen caught at least one pass in the game with Robin Witjes leading the way with 45 yards on just three catches.

The Bears (5-2) would score on their first drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead and would later capitalize on a blocked field goal that setup a field goal of their own to lead 10-0 at the end of one.

In the second quarter the Yeomen had a golden opportunity to score as Danny Enright recovered a fumble on a muffed punt at the Bears' own 25 yard line. However the Yeomen were unable to move the ball any closer and Zach Richard's 43-yard field goal try was wide left.

With 1:24 left in the opening half, the Yeomen had yet another chance at points as Mandel took the team down to Washington's 18 yard line, but on second down Adam Niec got flagged for offensive pass interference in the end zone that took the ball back 10 yards. Following an incomplete pass with just seconds left on the clock, the Yeomen were forced to try 46-yard field goal on third down, which unfortunately Richard pushed to the left as well.

After going into the locker room up 10-0, the Bears would add a field goal in the third quarter; however, the Yeomen were still within striking distance.

On the their first possession of the fourth, Mandel marched the Yeomen down the field on a 7-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped off by his own QB sneak from a yard out to make it a 13-7 game with 9:47 left to play.

Unfortunately, the Yeomen momentum was short-lived as poor tackling led to a 40-yard touchdown from Steve Sherman to Tom Gulyas. After two nice plays by the Yeomen defense to bring up a third-and-seven, Sherman checked down to Gulyas - who caught the pass short of the marker – but broke through multiple tackles before eventually sprinting up the sideline for the back-breaking score.

With the game still in doubt with 8:39 left to play, Oberlin was able get the ball down to the Wash U 34, but a bruising hit by Nick Vom Brack on Niec broke-up a potential first-down play on fourth-and-11.

Oberlin would force a three-and-out and have one last chance with 1:43 remaining, however, Mandel's first pass of the possession was tipped at the line of scrimmaged and intercepted by the Bears to effectively end the game.

Defensively it was Dane Stritt who led the way for the Yeomen with 11 tackles, including one for a loss.

The Yeomen will now return home for their first of three straight games to end the season at Savage Stadium. First up will be the Big Red of Denison University next Saturday. All of the action will get underway at 1 p.m.