Delaware, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team dug themselves a big hole and couldn't quite complete what would have been a historic comeback as the Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops earned a 55-42 win over the Yeomen on Saturday night at Shelby Stadium.
 
Despite the outcome, the Yeomen out-gained the Bishops 431-315 and had four more first downs at 19 to 15. Additionally, Oberlin won time of possession by 10 minutes.
 
Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali threw for a career-high 342 yards and four scores as he was 27-of-44 passing. He was also intercepted twice and added a rushing touchdown.
 
Rookie receivers Robby Reinheimer and Jabari Clemons were impressive as Reinheimer hauled in six catches for 130 yards and two TDs. Clemons was also on the receiving end of two touchdowns as he snagged seven passes for 73 yards in what was his collegiate debut. Furthermore, sophomore Corey Fussinger had his best day as a Yeoman with five catches for 82 yards.
 
Ohio Wesleyan scored 27 first-quarter points and withstood a late Yeomen charge en route to earning its first win of the season. Each of the Bishops first four touchdown drives lasted 1:51 or less, with the longest journey covering just 59 yards.
 
Oberlin was victimized by the big play in the first quarter as the Bishops first three touchdowns went for 37 yards or more. Their final score of the period came on a blocked punt that was returned 25 yards for a TD.
 
After the sluggish start, the Yeomen settled in and tried to claw their way back into the game.  Following a turnover deep in OWU territory, the Yeomen would take advantage as Poggiali hooked up with Clemons from five yards out for his first-career touchdown.
 
Later in the second quarter the Yeomen would get within two scores as Poggiali would cap an 8-play, 47-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak to make it a 27-12 Bishops advantage with 3:45 left in the first half.
 
However, the end of the first half did not go in Oberlin's favor as the Bishops responded with a 7-play, 55-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 2-yard TD run by quarterback Dominick Orsini.  To compound the problem, the Yeomen would fumble the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered at the Oberlin 23-yardline to setup the Bishops for their second score in a 30-second span as they ultimately took a 41-12 lead into the locker room at the half.
 
The Bishops would score the lone points of the third quarter as Rob Harnais ran in a 21-yard TD to make it a 48-12 Bishops lead.
 
However, the Yeomen never gave up and continued to fight all the way to end as they scored 30 fourth-quarter points to put some pressure back on the Bishops.
 
Sophomore Khalil Rivers ended a 10-play, 78-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run. Following a fumble recovery by Fletcher Quigley the Yeomen wasted no time in turning the OWU miscue into points as Poggiali threw a 22-yard scoring strike to Reinheimer on the very next play to cut the Bishops' lead down to 48-26.
 
With 70 seconds left it was Clemons who found paydirt for the second time in the game – this one coming from 10 yards away to get the Yeomen within two scores at 48-34.
 
Oberlin then tried an on-side kick that didn't go as planned as Tim Shadoan scooped it up and ran the other way for a 39-yard touchdown to leave no doubt in the eventual outcome.
 
However, that didn't mean the Yeomen quit playing as Poggiali marched his team 65 yards on eight plays in just 46 seconds as he hit Reinheimer on a 10-yard slant to complete the game's scoring.
 
Gabe Edwards led the Oberlin defense with eight tackles, while Anthony Allen made seven stops, including two sacks and a forced fumble. Overall the defense recorded seven tackles-for-loss and scooped up four OWU fumbles in the game. Bennett Jackson also added a late INT.
 
Oberlin, which fell to 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the NCAC, is back in action next Saturday when it welcomes Allegheny College for Homecoming Weekend. The Yeomen and Lords will kickoff at 3 p.m.