Denison University was handed their first loss of the season compliments of the Tigers in a 30-16 victory on Saturday.
The Tigers improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the NCAC, while Denison dropped to 7-1 and 6-1 in the NCAC.
DePauw took the lead with 10 minutes in the first quarter with a 19-yard field goal from senior kicker Marko Adams.
In the drive following a missed field goal from Denison, senior quarterback Matt Hunt threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to his brother, sophomore wide receiver Andy Hunt. Matt Hunt then connected with junior wide receiver Ben Wilson on a 37-yard pass to put the Tigers up 17-0 with 4:41 to play in the second quarter.
Denison got on the scoreboard with 31-yard touchdown catch by Ryan Roberts off of a pass from Canaan Gebele with just over a minute before the half. However, DePauw was able to quickly respond with a 65-yard drive, and capped it off with a six-yard touchdown pass from Hunt to junior wide receiver Nolan Ayres to go into the half up 24-7.
With 5:58 left in the third quarter, the Tigers scored another touchdown, this time off of a 37-yard run from Matt Hunt. However, the extra point was blocked by Denison and returned by Joel Louhoua, for two points.
With 2:20 left in the fourth quarter and DePauw already in a comfortable lead, Denison scored a touchdown off of a four-yard pass from Tommy Iammarino to David Weimar.
One major key to DePauw's victory over the Big Red was DePauw's stifling defense. The Tiger tallied four interceptions had six sacks. DePauw also held Denison to only 12 rushing yards.
“We had a tough loss the week before against Ohio Wesleyan so we were ready to get back out on the field and play the way we know we are capable of,” Adams said, “We've played Denison well all four years that I've been here so it was nice to hand them another loss this weekend especially with it being our last go around at Blackstock.”
Both Adams and Hunt were encouraged by the teamwork the saw on the field last weekend and are positive about team’s current level of play. “I think everyone took it upon themselves to do their job which helped us come out firing,” Hunt said on about the Tigers fast start.
Hunt and the rest of the team are looking forward to finishing out the rest of the season strong. “This was a big win for us to give us momentum going into these next two weeks,” Hunt said,
“It should be a great two weeks, and we are all excited about the opportunity in front of us.”