For the second year in a row, the DePauw Tigers football program dropped a heartbreaker game to Kenyon by two points with the score of 28-26.
The Tigers are now 0-3 in head coach Bill Lynch's inaugural season with the program. However, there were some bright spots in this weekends matchup, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Prior to their game against Kenyon, the Tigers only scored one touchdown on a two-game stretch.
In the second quarter first-year Matt Hunt replaced sophomore Justin Murray at quarterback. Hunt, who graduated from Heritage Christian High School in Indianapolis, helped the Tigers score 14 points in less than 15 minutes of play. Hunt finished the game with 13 completions on 22 attempts, 223 passing yards, and two passing touchdowns.
Hunt also gained 34 yards on six carries, accompanied by feature running back senior Nikko Sansone's 168 all-purpose yards. Senior wide out Barry Flynn had six catches for 46 yards, while junior slot receiver D.J. Steward stepped up for a big 74 yard connection with Hunt.
"This weekend, we clicked offensively," Steward said. "We're progressing as a team, focusing on our strengths...We were just one or two plays short from winning that game."
The defensive unit has also taken notice of the team's gradually improving chemistry on offense. While players won't admit the quarterback change is what improved the production on offense, they acknowledged Hunt's impact under center.
"Coach handed it over to Matt Hunt who stepped up and made some big plays," first-year defensive back Cody Baker said. "A big defensive stop that turns into a scoring drive is a huge momentum shift. His [incomplete] throws were inches away from being huge gains for us. Once that starts clicking, were going to be a be a solid team."
Baker, who had 11 tackles for the game, said that despite the 0-3 start, the team is confident that they are on the right track.
This weekend, the Tigers travel back to Ohio, this time to take on Denison University. The Denison team is 3-1, coming off a 47-41 win over Ohio Wesleyan University.