After a close, but promising loss to the Earlham Quakers two weeks ago, the Crimson Thunder have fallen mightily the last two games by a combined score of 128-7. This past Saturday's defeat to Denison University was marked by a power rushing game. This offensive approach has plagued Oberlin's defense all season. The Big Red simply did not have to throw the ball to be effective.
Denison got on the board right away with running back Dan Hayes carrying the bulk of the load. On the final play of the drive, Hayes dashed down the left sideline for 41 yards and an endzone celebration in the. On the drive, the Big Red ran six running plays, covering 67 yards in just two and a half minutes.
The Thunder just could not respond on the offensive side of the ball. Persistent attempts to coordinate a balanced offensive attack resulted in punt after punt for sophomore Bob Montag. Sad but true, Oberlin did not cross into Denison territory until roughly five minutes left in the third quarter. By then, the final outcome was all but decided with Denison leading 49-0.
"The plays were called right, we were in the right places, we just didn't capitalize," said sophomore offensive linemen Gary Arbuckle. Montag reiterated Arbuckle's thoughts. "The coaches gave us the opportunity to be successful, we just have to put it to use."
OC's lone scoring drive came with six minutes left in the third quarter. With sophomore running back Adisa Chaney supplying big gains on the ground, first-year playcaller Chris Moffatt was able to sit back and pick apart the defense. Moffatt completed four passes on the drive including a 12 yard strike to Montag and a 14 yard delivery to junior wideout Geno Walker.
On third and goal from the one, Moffatt kept it himself and dove into the endzone. The score enabled the Thunder to take some pride out of the blowout and at least go into the lockeroom happy they were not shutout.
Denison would then score two more times and go home with a lopsided 63-7 victory. They finished with a whopping 305 rushing yards and 511 total net yards form scrimmage. The Big Red are now 1-4 overall.
The loss dropped the Yeomen to 0-5. The competition does not get any better, as they must combat the fierce Fighting Scots of Wooster College Saturday afternoon. "They are one of the tougher teams on our schedule, but we will come out with a full head of steam," said Arbuckle.
Montag pointed to mental mistakes as an area to improve upon. "We have to make sure we make no mental mistakes. If one person breaks down, [they] upset the team concept. We are all in it together," he said.
The team has hit a lag and the writing is on the wall as they face yet another powerhouse tomorrow. But Montag remains optimistic amidst the team's recent slide. "We just have to keep plugging away, keep improving and going hard every week," he said.
Arbuckle added, "We are starting to build on the little things. The results don't show the hard work put in." Hopefully, the results will show the mistake-free, hard-nosed type football we know they are capable of tomorrow as they square off against the Scots. Game time is set for 1:30 at Dill Field, so bring your can of whup-ass, because there will be plenty to go around.
Plastic People, oh baby, now you're such a drag: One Yeoman exercises his pinpoint tackling. (photo by Brian Hodgkin)
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 128, Number 6, October 8, 1999
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