Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team capped off its season-opening three-game homestand by succumbing to the visiting Big Red of Denison University by a score of 59-12 on Saturday afternoon at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
The Big Red ground game proved to be too much for the young Yeomen defense as the visitors racked up 303 rushing yards on 42 carries for an average of 7.2 yards per rush. Quarterback Drew Dawkins threw just nine times but made the most of his attempts as he completed six passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns as the Big Red finished with 528 yards of total offense.
Oberlin rushed for 92 yards with
Kobe Brooks leading the way with 49 yards on nine attempts.
Chris Allen Jr.,
Matt Siff, and
Evan Smith-Rooks each saw time under center and combined to go 22-of-43 for 208 yards with two touchdowns and an interception by Siff.
Four different Yeomen finished with 40 or more receiving yards with
Brian Colarusso and
Jack Diskin leading the way with 53 yards each.
Nathaniel Castro added 47 yards on two catches, while
Maurice Wickware had 40 yards on four snags.
After holding Denison to a field goal on its opening drive, the Yeomen would march 75 yards on nine plays to take an early 6-3 lead as Allen Jr. ended the jaunt with a 2-yard TD toss to senior tight end
Brandon Davies.
Unfortunately, the momentum was extremely short-lived as the Big Red answered back 85 seconds later as Dawkins found a streaking Aidan Brownlee for a 65-yard scoring strike. It was the first of five Big Red scoring drives that lasted 85 seconds or less.
After success on its initial possession, the Yeomen offense stalled out as they punted on their four other first-half drives as Denison carried 24-6 lead into the intermission.
The Big Red wasted no time in ensuring the eventual outcome by scoring four third-quarter touchdowns with last coming on an 80-yard connection from Dawkins to Billy Guzzo.
After the Big Red scored on their final drive of the game, Smith-Rooks orchestrated a 15-play, 79-yard journey down the field that ended with him finding Wickware for a 9-yard TD reception on the game's final play, marking the first-career score for the rookie from Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Jeremy Acosta and
George Dowdle led the Yeomen defense with seven tackles apiece, while Ethan Bouffard picked up his third sack in as many games.
The loss moved Oberlin back to 0-3 year and 0-2 in the NCAC. Denison improved to 2-1 and 2-0 in league play.
The Yeomen embark on their first road trip of the season next week at Kenyon College. Kickoff is set for high noon.
