Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team struck first, but the DePauw University Tigers responded with five straight scores en route to defeating the Yeomen, 50-17, to sour the Senior Day celebration on Saturday afternoon at Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.  
 
Prior to kick, the Yeomen honored their nine senior members with one in particular getting a special starting nod. A four-year backup quarterback, Chris Herman earned his first collegiate start and made the most of his opportunity. On the game's first play he connected with classmate Justin Cruz for a 70-yard completion down to the DePauw 5-yardline. Just one play later, Khalil Rivers ran it in for his second score of the season as the Yeomen went on top 7-0 31 seconds into the game.
 
"It was the right thing to do and he deserved it," Head Coach Jay Anderson said it regards to starting Herman. "He has been an amazing teammate throughout his time and he really earned this opportunity. Overall, I'd like to thank all of the seniors for all of their hard work and dedication to program over the last four years."
 
After the early surprise, the Tigers quick-strike offense responded in a big way – scoring on their first five drives of the game to grab a 26-7 lead early in the second quarter. North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year candidate Matt Hunt ran for a score and threw for two more, while Marko Adams added field goals from 32 and 24 yards out.
 
The Yeomen would get back into the game as quarterback Zach Taylor faked a jet sweep and ran right up the middle for an 88-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 12, 26-14, with 10:58 left in the first half. Taylor finished with a career-high 120 yards rushing on 16 carries. He added 117 passing yards, completing 15-of-25 attempts.
 
Cruz snagged seven passes for 111 yards, moving him into third all-time with 2,156 yards in his career.

After taking over at the DePauw 17-yardline following a bad snap on a punt, the Yeomen squandered a chance to make it one-score game and instead had to settle for 29-yard Michael Leshchyshyn field to make it 26-17 lead with just under nine minutes left in the half.
 
Following another Tigers' touchdown, the Yeomen got back into DePauw territory, but Leshchyshyn's 40-yard attempt was wide left, allowing DePauw to take a 33-17 lead into the intermission.
 
The Tigers would go on to added 17 points over the final 30 minutes of play, while keeping the Yeomen off the scoreboard to leave no doubt in the eventual outcome.
 
DePauw, which moved to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in the NCAC, ran 101 plays in the game for 591 total yards. The Yeomen, who dropped to 0-9 and 0-8 in conference play, totaled 371 yards on 57 plays.
 
Khalil Rivers added 52 yards rushing on 12 carriers, while Jabari Clemons caught five passes for 47 yards receiving.
 
Rookie Von Wooding spearheaded the defensive effort with a career-best 15 tackles (11 solo), while senior Justin Bute made 12 stops (10 solo) in his final appearance on Bailey Field. He now just two tackles shy of Sam Hobi for third on the all-time list as he enters the season finale with 248 for his career.
 
Oberlin will conclude its season next Saturday as it travels to 2-7 Hiram. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.