The DePauw University Tigers took on Ohio Wesleyan University at home this past Saturday, picking up their second loss of the season.
An early 14 points by the Bishops put the Tigers behind, but they answered by scoring 15. The Tigers were unable to hold them off, however, as the Bishops returned with 23 more points, ending the game at 37-15.
The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) loss dropped the Tigers to 5-2 in the season and 4-2 in the conference, while the Bishops advanced to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
Ohio Wesleyan’s quarterback Dominic Orsini capitalized on the Bishop’s first possession, running through DePauw for a 37-yard score. Orsini and Tyler DeVitis continued their offensive strike completing a 15-yard pass to make it 14-0.
With 14 minutes left in the half, the Tigers finished a 69-yard run. Senior kicker Marko Adams added on a 18-yard field goal to make the score 14-7.
The Bishops responded by making their way to the Tigers’ 22nd yard-line, but DePauw was able to hold them off. On the first play of the next possession, senior quarterback Matt Hunt ran 24 yards, and, four plays later, hit sophomore wide receiver and his brother Andy Hunt with a pass for a 42-yard scoring play. Adams missed the extra point giving Ohio Wesleyan a 14-9 lead with close to nine minutes left in the half.
Following a 3-yard touchdown connection between the Hunt brothers, DePauw took the lead at 15-14. The extra point was again off the mark and leaving the Tigers with a one point lead with under four minutes left in the half.
Ohio Wesleyan’s Jesse Beachy answered with a 75-yard run on the 3rd-and-11 play that ended at DePauw’s 16 yard-line. After three plays, Orsini capped the run with a 7-yard scoring run, pushing the score to 21-15.
The Bishops added to that by running 61 yards in 11 plays, as Alex Barrett scored on a 19-yard run, making it 28-15.
The Tigers regained possession after a Brooks Hepp interception, but Matt Hunt was hit on third down and fumbled. The ball was recovered by Ohio Wesleyan.
Orsini finished a four-yard run, and Ohio Wesleyan’s score improved to 34-15 with eight minutes remaining in the game.
The Bishops added another three points after intercepting Hunt’s pass on the next possession, turning it into an 8-play, 50-yard drive. A 28-yard field goal by Tim Shadoan put the final score at 37-15.
Matt Hunt became DePauw’s all-time total offense leader as he reached 9,525 yards early in the game. Despite the loss, Hunt holds a positive mentality as the team progresses in the season.
“I think you can expect a team that is re-energized and motivated to finish this season strong,” Hunt said. “We know we are capable of playing with the best teams in the NCAC, but we have yet to prove that. This weekend will be a great time to showcase that ability.”
“I thought Will Longthorne played a great game,”Hepp said. “They keyed on him and double teamed him for most the game and he still managed to lead the team in tackles which is very impressive.”
Sophomore linebacker Dominic Miranda looks ahead at the rest of the Tigers’ season. “What you can expect from the team moving forward is a bunch of guys with a chip on their shoulders who want to finish this season strong and send these seniors out with a bang...and a bell,” Miranda said. “You aren't going to see guys feeling sorry for themselves because we have worked too hard and long to just fold. Coach Lynch has our minds right and we will finish the season strong.”
DePauw takes on Denison University this Saturday at 2 p.m. in hopes to improve their record.