Future Looks Good as Season Comes to an End

Take That: Typical of Oberlin's sixth-ranked defense in the NCAC, junior David Smolev gives it to 'em. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)

The Yeomen football team ended their season last Saturday with a 14-6 loss to Denison giving them a 0-10 record for the season.

The game started off on the right track for Oberlin when first-year Quammie Semper grabbed his fourth interception of the year and returned it 22 yards for his first college touchdown. After a failed extra point, the Yeomen held a six point lead until late in the first quarter when Denison scored seven points.

Denison scored one more touchdown in the second quarter to give them a 14-6 lead. From that point on Oberlin's defense was a rock that Denison couldn't move, however Oberlin's offense had its own rock in the way, keeping them out of the end zone all game.

Even though Denison's quarterback Greg Neuendorf passed for 194 yards, both teams finished the game with 184 yards of total offense. The reason for this discrepency came as a result of Oberlin's 10 team sacks, including five from junior middle linebacker Sam Hobi. Hobi lead the team this season with 99.5 tackles, junior David Smolev was second with 55. Also, first-year George Parr finished the season with five interceptions, and Semper with four.

Most of the Yeomen's offensive yards were on the ground with first-year David Lightfoot rushing for close to 100 yards. He lead the team in rushing this season with 439 yards.

Sophomore Chris Moffatt and first-year Troy Dewitt were very close in quarterbacking stats While Moffatt may have thrown the only two touchdown passes, Dewitt had a better efficency rating, and both threw for a little over 500 yards.

Despite the record, this season ended with a great deal to look forward to in the future. Most notably is the fact that the Yeomen will be returning 20 of 22 starters, more than any other team in the conference. With that many players returning there will definitely be much improvment this off-season, on both sides of the ball. Head Coach Jeff Ramsey said, "I am optimistic. This is the first time since Coach Hunsinger's days, that Oberlin football has looked this good at the end of the season."

There was also a lot of improvement in the team as the season progressed. Ramesy said "As dissapointing as it was to go 0-10, we made great strides and improved tremdously." Now, with a season under their belts, and an off-season to gain strength, speed and knowledge the Yeomen have much to look forward to next season.

This will not only be a busy off-season for the players, but the coaches as well. They will now have their second season of recruiting and a chance to bring in another class like last season. Ramsey emphasized the importance of recruiting in building a strong team. He said, "Recruiting is crucial. We need to get strong on offense, and depth at every position."

With a good off-season for the returners, and another good recruiting class the Yeomen will be in very good shape come next season. The defense finished the season ranked 6th of 10 teams in the conference, their highest ranking in at least eight years.