Football stomped, still looking for conference win

The victory over Thiel College was the highlight of the season, but Saturday's loss to Wittenberg University was the low point. The Yeomen gave up 497 total yards en route to a 74-0 loss. This continues an alarming trend for the Yeomen against the Tigers as over the last three seasons the Yeomen have lost all three games by a combined score of 214-9.

Wittenberg, who leads the conference, has a very solid team, but the Yeomen did not play the game that they are fully capable of. Wittenberg scored on their first offensive play, but the Yeomen offense went all the way to the Tiger 17-yard line on their first possession. This drive faltered on fourth down and with it went all of Oberlin's momentum. The Yeomen never had good field position, while the Tigers did more often than not. Safety junior Jason Quinn said, "It seemed like we were always defending in our own territory and we never gave the offense good field position either."

The offense never got on track as the Yeomen managed only 152 total yards and a meek 28 yards on the ground. Quarterback senior James Parker entered the game as the leading offensive player in the conference, but was under heavy pressure all game long, and was stripped twice. When he left the game in the fourth quarter he was slowed by the hits that he had taken on the way to a 13-30 79 yard, three interception performance. Parker was hobbling all week, but is expected to play on Saturday.

Wittenberg's offense executed to perfection. The Oberlin defense has struggled at times this season, but never more so than against a very talented Wittenberg running game. The Tigers rushed for 362 yards and 9 touchdowns. Said Quinn, "We didn't execute on defense."

But the Yeomen also persisted and played hard. Quarterback first-year Geno Walker saw his first extended playing time of the season and hit 3 of 6 passes for 45 yards. Wide receivers junior Anthony Johnson and junior Felix Brooks-Church continued to show they are as good as any players in the conference. Safety senior Gerald Blankson had a fabulous game, intercepting two passes. This week the Yeomen travel to Ohio Wesleyan University to take on a Battling Bishop team that is also 1-3 overall. The Bishops run an offense that is very similar to the one run by Thiel, and the Yeomen are confident that they can play a good game. "We are definitely looking forward to this week," Quinn said. The Yeomen haven't defeated the Bishops since 1986, but they feel that this is as good a time as any. They also know that they need to put the Wittenberg game behind them. Well, the kickoff is Saturday.

Flagrant abuse: Wittenberg had their way with the Yeomen last Saturday, tossing the team aside as they waded through the carnage to a 74-0 win. (photo by John Matney)