Oberlin football went into the final home game of the season against the Kenyon College Lords with high hopes last week. Hopes that perhaps the Parents' Weekend crowd and extra motivation of Senior Appreciation day would help the Yeomen surprise Kenyon. But yet again, it was not to be for OC, as they fell by a score of 33-6 to fall to 0-9 on the year.
The final score, however, was not an indication of how competitively the Yeomen played most of the game. After their only score, coming in the third quarter, Oberlin trailed by a mere 14-6. But fate then intervened with a sucker punch, as the two-point conversion attempt was intercepted and returned the length of the field for a Lords score, putting the count at 16-6. Kenyon never looked back from there, tacking on a field goal later in the third quarter and two touchdowns in the fourth.
The game began with a much more positive flavor than have most of the Yeomen's contests. The OC defense forced a three-and-out on the first drive, and a short punt gave the Yeomen the ball on their own 33.
After an incomplete pass from quarterback sophomore Geno Walker, running back first-year J.J. Gilmore broke loose for 18 yards to the Kenyon 49. The drive stalled there, however, and first-year Bob Montag came on to punt. In one of the better special teams efforts of the year, Montag hammered a 47 yard punt down to the Kenyon 4 yard line.
Once again, the Lords could start nothing on offense, going three-and-out.
The Yeomen got the ball back on the Kenyon 46, and following a 2 yard run, Gilmore slashed another 13 down to the Kenyon 31. It was then Walker's year-long nemesis returned and he was picked off by defensive back Aaron Hamilton. His first of four on the day, it was the first of five overall Oberlin interceptions.
But Kenyon was once again flustered by the Oberlin defense, going three-and-out and advancing the punt a mere 12 yards, giving the Yeomen the ball at the Kenyon 37.
Oberlin could not take advantage of their opponent's mistakes, finally punting after a fake punt negated by a holding penalty.
The Lords got nothing going on offense, once again, and were forced to punt.
Gilmore gained nine yards on three carries, leaving the Yeomen with a fourth-and-one situation. Montag came on to punt, but dropped back to pass upon receiving the snap. His attempt, though, was intercepted by defensive back Chris Moriarty, who also served as the Lords' punter, and returned 64 yards. After a Kenyon holding penalty and Oberlin personal foul had been accessed, the Lords began with the ball on the Oberlin 18 yard line.
This was one opportunity that Kenyon could not blow, putting the ball across in three rushes, and converting the point after to make the score 7-0.
The Yeomen once again went nowhere on offense, punting after three plays and with four seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Switching ends of the field after the initial play of their drive, Kenyon's offense seemed energized by their previous score, easily driving down the field in seven plays and 63 yards for the touchdown. Included in the drive were two separate 24 yard runs by fullback Will Winnicki, who scored both of the first two touchdowns on 1-yard runs and ran for 59 yards on five carries in the second drive alone. Winnicki finished the day with an amazing 37 carries for 260 yards and three touchdowns.
The rest of the second quarter went as much of the first quarter had, with neither team managing to threaten a score before the half.
But Oberlin came out into the second half with a new determination, starting with the ball on their own 40 after a Kenyon personal foul. After two Gilmore runs for a loss, Walker connected with wideout senior Felix Brooks-Church for 14 yards and a key first down. The very next play, wideout senior Anthony Johnson continued his late-season streak, hauling in a 50-yard touchdown catch from Walker.
It was after this that Walker was intercepted in his attempt for the two point conversion by linebacker Brian McConnell. McConnell's return seemed to deflate the temporarily jubilant Yeomen, as Oberlin was not to get the ball past midfield the rest of the game.
Kenyon took the ball from kickoff and drove down 10 plays in 58 yards to kick a 25 yard field goal, putting the score at 19-6.
Oberlin once again stalled on offense, going three-and-out.
Kenyon got the ball moving, as far down as the O.C. 37, but lost possession with a fumble.
The very next play, however, Walker threw his third interception of the day, this one again to McConnell.
The Lords moved the ball into field goal range on the next drive, but fumbled in a fake attempt.
The next Oberlin drive saw the third quarter end, but no improvement on offense, as they went three-and-out.
Following another stalled Lords drive, Walker threw his final interception of the day, returned 23 yards by defensive back Andrew Malone. The next play, Kenyon put the ball across to make the score 26-6.
Following a longer but unsuccessful Yeoman drive, the Lords got the ball back at their own 45. Winnicki scored single-handedly from there, on runs of 4, 47 and 1 in succession. That put the game at its final score of 33-6.
Oberlin finishes up their season tomorrow on the road against Allegheny.
Under pressure: The Yeoman passing attack was kept in check by Kenyon's defense Saturday. (photo by Heidi Good)
Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 9, November 13, 1998
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