Frustration mounts for Crimson Thunder

Frustration is a word that only begins to describe the spirits of the Oberlin Yeomen football team at this point in the season. Following a 55-0 loss to the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops, the Yeomen are 0-3, having been outscored by a combined 146-30. Though only three games into the 1998 season, Oberlin already seems to lack the passion and hope that carried over from last season's opening-game victory.

The contest opened Saturday at Dill Field with a short Oberlin kickoff and long Ohio Wesleyan return, all the way to their own 38. The Battling Bishops then marched down the field with authority, scoring after nine plays that lasted a mere 4:18. Time-wise, it was the Bishops' longest drive of the day by almost two minutes, and second-longest in terms of distance.

The Yeomen came back after the kickoff with something akin to promise, as sophomore Geno Walker completed a pass to senior Felix Brooks-Church on the first play from scrimmage, and first-year J.J. Gilmore reeled off an 11-yard run on third down. But in what would become a familiar refrain on the day, Oberlin stalled. The Yeomen would manage just 83 yards from scrimmage for the game, a season-low. Brooks-Church was again the only bright spot in an otherwise gloomy offensive performance, bringing in 7 catches for 54 yards.

Following the ill-fated first drive, a 13-yard Bob Montag punt gave the Bishops terrific field position; the Ohio Wesleyan offense, however, stalled once it reached Oberlin's red zone, going from first and ten on the Yeoman 24 to fourth and 19 and an incomplete pass to turn the ball over on downs.

The Yeomen proceeded to go three and out, but first-year Montag's longest punt of the day, a 47-yarder, added to an Ohio Wesleyan clipping penalty, put the ball on the OWU seven-yard line. Unfortunately, the location of the ball did not matter, as two quick rushes got the Bishops a first down at the 20. Matt Capone then broke loose with an 80-yard touchdown romp, giving the Bishops a comfortable lead at 14-0. For his part, Capone had a banner day, rushing the ball 12 times for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

The Yeomen gained only two more first downs in the first half, as Ohio Wesleyan scored three more times in the next four possessions. Each of the scores came after the Bishops started with the ball in Oberlin territory; the one drive in which they did not score started on their own side of the field. The Bishops went into the half with a 35-0 lead.

Despite the valiant efforts of quarterback Walker, the Oberlin offense never got its feet off the ground. Walker had a completion percentage better than 50 percent for the first time this season, going 11 for 20, and did not throw an interception. He was, however, sacked nine times for a loss of 56 yards, and his 11 completions brought in only 65 yards.

Like Thiel and Kalamazoo before them, the Battling Bishops did not need to deploy a passing game. Their quarterback, Phil Heyn, was a measly three for 10 with only 36 passing yards. In fact, the Yeomen have allowed only 252 passing yards this season, limiting opposing throwers to a 10 for 26 (38.5 percent) completion rate.

That was little consolation for the Oberlin defense, as the Bishops' running backs shredded the Yeomen for 420 yards on 59 carries (7.0 yds/carry). Jonas Nash joined Capone with outstanding production, at 12 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore wideout Jesse Cretaro realizes Oberlin's offensive performance was unacceptable. "There's no way we can succeed with 83 yards of total offense," Cretaro said. "We're going to put up some points." Despite the team's woes, Cretaro manages to keep his head high and looks forward to the week-long break before the next game, October 3 versus Denison. "We're going to be able to get more things accomplished [with the extra time]," he said.

After improving in the second half of their first game and keeping it close versus Thiel, this loss was particularly hard, senior defensive tackle Jason Cunningham said. "It's disappointing when you play tough one week, and then go and make a lot of mental mistakes," he said. "Big plays are going to happen. Our problem is not bouncing back." Cunningham also emphasized that the Yeomen must take something from every game, even if it is not a win. "You don't give up," he said.

The Yeomen have the week off and then play Denison at Dill Field Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m.