Box Score

Oberlin, Ohio – Junior quarterback Josh Mandel threw for a school record 454 yards on a school record 63 attempts, but it was enough as the Yeomen's comeback attempt against Washington University fell short, 24-21, and in turn spoiled Senior Day for the Yeomen.

Mandel, who was 38-of-63 with three TDs and two picks, wasn't the only who had a career day on the Yeomen offense as Robin Witjes caught 13 passes for 176 yards, both of which tie for third all-time. Senior Dan Weintraub also had a day he will never forget, snagging five balls for a career-high 126 yards to go along with two touchdowns. Mandel's 454 yards tops that of former Yeomen great and current quarterback's coach Greg Mangan who had 367 yards against Heidelberg in 2007.

The game was nearly Déjà vu of last year's 21-7 loss at Wash U when Oberlin won nearly every statistical category, but lost the game.  Today the Yeomen out-gained the Bears (462-300), had more first downs (23-12), ran more offensive plays (85-59), more than doubled up their passing yards (458-212) and won the time of possession battle 33:08 to 26:52.

Despite moving the ball all game long the Yeomen entered the fourth quarter down 21-0. However it didn't take them long into the frame to finally find paydirt as Mandel found a streaking Weintraub down the far side for a 70-yard scoring strike on the very first play of the quarter.

The Yeomen defense then forced the Bears to go three-and-out on their next two possessions. Taking over with 10:40 left to play Mandel marched the Yeomen 82 yards on just seven plays as he ended the drive with a picture perfect pass into the corner of the endzone to Weintraub from 22 yards to make it just a one score game. The drive used just 2:31 off the clock.

On the ensuing Bears drive it appeared the Oberlin defense forced another three-and-out, but on 3rd-and-7 from their own 33, Washington quarterback Dan Burkett hooked up with Mike McGovern for a 43-yard gain along the near sideline. The big play eventually led to the Bears tacking on a 37-yard field goal to make it a 24-14 game with 4:04 left to play.

Oberlin responded with a big play of its own as senior Drew Mixter took the ensuing kickoff back 59 yards all the way down to the Bears' 18-yardline. From there the Yeomen would cash in their third TD of the quarter as Mandel found senior Cory Kidd running along the backside of the endzone from six-yards out.

With just over two minutes remaining, the Yeomen attempted an onside kick, but unfortunately the Bears recovered. However, OC still had one last chance.

Wash U managed to use just 22 seconds off of the clock, thanks to some stiff OC defense and two Yeomen timeouts. Following the punt, Oberlin took control of the ball at their own 18 with 1:43 left and no timeouts. The drive started with an 18-yard pass play to Witjes and later featured a 10-yard hook-up to Weintraub on 4th-and-10. However, the next four plays didn't go so well as Mandel was sacked on first down and incompletions on third and fourth down ended the game.

Oberlin had its chances to convert early on in the contest, but just couldn't do it as it cashed in just 2-of-5 trips into the red-zone on the day. On the game's opening series the Yeomen used 8:59 off the clock, going 49 yards on 16 plays, but had nothing to show for it as Joe Cook missed a 34-yard field goal. On their next drive, Oberlin got it down to the Bears' 22-yardline, but turned it over on downs. Early in the second quarter another Yeomen drive was short-circuited as Mandel was intercepted at the Bears' 5-yardline.

Seniors Derrick Dennis and Jake Hochendoner led the defense with eight tackles each. Hochendoner also added a sack. Defensive backs Matt Richard and senior Shawn Chrapczynski each had an INT as well.

The 85 offensive plays ran by the Yeomen is just 10 off a school record (95 vs. Wabash 2001). The 458 yards passing is a school record and Mandel's 38 completions rank second all-time.

The Yeomen, who will conclude the season with three straight road games, travel to Denison next week for a 2 p.m. kickoff.