Oberlin, Ohio – The visiting Denison University Big Red spoiled the home opener for the Oberlin College football team, cruising past the Yeomen 54-7 on Saturday night at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.

After two promising offensive performances to start the season, the Yeomen were stuck in neutral for much of the evening, gaining 182 yards while failing to find the endzone until late in the fourth quarter. The Yeomen went into halftime with just 29 yards to their credit.

As the offense spurted the Yeomen defense held its own in the early going, limiting the Big Red to three first-quarter field goals. However, Denison would score four times in the second quarter - three of which were rushing touchdowns - while Connor Dunn also added his fourth field goal of the game. Cody Farley started the period with a 1-yard TD plunge and then quarterback Canaan Gebele ran in from 75 and seven yards out as the Big Red went into the intermission up 33-0.

Oberlin's lone score of the game came with 11:48 left in the fourth as freshman running back Melvin Briggs did the bulk of the work on the 7-play, 73-yard drive. He rushed for 52 yards, including a season-long run of 41. The Yeomen touchdown came courtesy of a 12-yard toss from Zach Taylor to senior tight end Alec Bean.

Briggs was a bright spot for the Yeomen as he finished with 92 yards on 11 carries while adding 82 yards on kick-off returns for 174 all-purpose yards.

Denison, which finished with 559 yards of offense, would score three touchdowns in the second half before the Yeomen touchdown.

Bennett Jackson led the Oberlin defense with 10 tackles, while senior safety Larry Leggett chipped in with six stops and two pass break-ups.

Oberlin returns to action next Saturday when it welcomes Ohio Wesleyan University to town during Homecoming weekend. The football program will be celebrating its 125 year anniversary following the game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.