Oberlin, Ohio – Hosting their historic rival on Homecoming weekend, the Oberlin College football team battled against the Kenyon Owls on Saturday evening. The defense notched their third shutout quarter of the season when the Crimson and Gold locked down the Owls in the fourth quarter.
First-year
Miguel Garcia Garcia electrified the packed house late in the first quarter when and ran 88 yards to return a blocked PAT attempt for a two-point conversion. Lined up at the 12-yard line, Kenyon booted the ball towards to goal posts, but stretched out to the sky,
Judah Moenoa blocked the ball as it ricocheted away from the Owls. Picking up the rock behind the place kicker, Garcia Garcia scooped the ball and quickly distanced himself from Kenyon.
Dodging the Owls' last attempt at a tackle, the Virginia native sprinted the final 30 yards to the end zone as the crowd broke out in a roar. The longest scoring play of the Yeomen's season, Garcia Garcia scored his first points in the Crimson and Gold.
After starting and playing the first two and a half quarters,
Drew Nye accepted relief from
Ben Suler late in the third period of play. Suler went 6-9 from the backfield, connecting with
JJ Racz,
CJ Cooper II,
Jacob Epps,
Carlos Sofge-Osorio, and Garcia Garcia.
Connor Steele led the receivers corps with 31 yards on five receptions. Rookie sensation Racz made four catches, while Garcia Garce added another four. Rounding out the quarter, Cooper II made three catches for 15 yards.
In the backfield,
Daniel Pressley rushed 34 yards, while
Lance Slone and
Jackson Garstka also added to the run game.
Defensively, Ako Taylor II led the team with nine tackles, consisting of five solo tackles and four assists.
Hunter Green followed closely with seven tackles, while adding a pair of QB hits. Cooper II made just one tackle, but led the team in pass breakups with three.
James Chikwe, Epps, and Moenoa all made tackles for loss as well, with Chikwe adding four other tackles.
Breaking up the pass game for the Owls were Garcia Garcia and Epps, who each recorded an interception. Keeping the Owls out of the red zone, Garcia Garcia intercepted a pass from Kenyon's Ryan Dean on a 3rd and 15 and rushed 15 yards thereafter.
On the next Kenyon drive, Epps snagged the ball on a 1st and 10 pass that was hurried by Taylor II. The senior rushed the ball to Oberlin's 29-yard line to return possession to the Yeomen.
The North Coast matchup ended in a 57-2 loss for the Yeomen, who turn their attention to the Wittenberg Tigers for their next contest.
The Crimson and Gold take a well-deserved rest, and they take full advantage of their bye-week to prepare for their next game on Saturday, October 25. Hosting the Wittenberg Tigers, Oberlin celebrates the 'No One Fights Alone' game, a contest that will recognize those who fight illness and disease, and the loved ones who fight alongside them.
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