BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin-Wallace College football team lost to Ohio Athletic Conference rival Heidelberg College, 41-36, today (Saturday, October 24, 2009) in front of 1,650 fans at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin. The Yellow Jackets rallied from 25 points down late in the third quarter but finished one possession short of the comeback.
With the loss, the Yellow Jackets fall to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in the OAC and next play on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Ohio Northern University in Ada. Heidelberg's first win since opening day moves the Student Princes to 2-5 overall and 1-5 in the OAC.
Heidelberg led 14-0 after the first quarter, 21-3 at halftime and 35-17 after the third quarter.
The Student Princes took the game's opening drive 61 yards on four plays and found the endzone when quarterback Andrew Miller hooked up with wide receiver Clifton Powell for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Jesse Hawkins added the point after touchdown to put 'The Berg' up 7-0 at the 13:21 mark.
Heidelberg increased its lead at the 3:16 mark of the quarter with a fake field goal pass from Miller to running back Anthony Washington to cap off a 12-play and 91-yard drive that took 6:31 off the clock. Hawkins' PAT made it 14-0.
B-W got on the board at 12:26 of the second quarter when junior placekicker Brad Pollock (Brecksville/ Brecksville-Broadview Heights) booted a 28-yard field goal to cap a nine-play and 39-yard drive that took 3:19 off the game clock.
The Student Princes looked to add to their lead and attempted another fake field goal in the B-W redzone, but B-W junior defenisve back Ryan Dugan (Mentor) intercepted a Miller pass in the endzone resulting in a touchback. Dugan's fourth INT of the year ended a 12-play and 77-yard drive.
'The Berg' came right back with 0:52 left before halftime with an 11-yard Miller to receiver Mario Walton TD pass. Hawkins' PAT increased the score to 21-3 and capped an eight play and 61-yard drive that took 2:06.
B-W senior quarterback Anthony Gardner (Rocky River/ Lakewood St. Edward) lead a succesful hurry-up offense down the field, but time was against the Jackets when sophmore Dan Turner (Youngstown/ Ursuline) caught a 30-yard pass from Gardner as time expired, ending the drive at the Heidelberg 23 yard line.
B-W's opening drive of the second half went deep into Heidelberg territory before a questionable fumble call on Gardner favored the Student Princes and DeWayne Lindsey picked up the loose ball and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. Another Hawkins PAT made the score 28-3 with 14:14 left in the third quarter.
B-W battled back on its next possession when sophomore running back Tim Miker (Parma/ Senior) scored on a one-yard run with 9:49 left in the third quarter. Pollock's PAT made the score 28-10 and capped a nine-play and 43-yard drive which took 3:19 off the board.
Heidelberg answered right back on its next possession when Miller found wide out Mike Preston for a 12-yard TD pass with 4:50 remaining in the third to cap a nine-play and 47-yard drive that last 4:59. Hawkins' fifth PAT made the score 35-10.
B-W's next possession also ended in a touchdown when Gardner hooked up with senior tight end John Stock (Fairview Park/ Lutheran West) from nine yards out to cap a quick eight-play and 71-yard drive. Pollock'sPAT brought the score to 35-17 with 1:43 left in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets then held the Student Princes on fourth down in B-W territory but turned the ball over on the next play when Gardner was intercepted by Tony Gordon.
The Student Princes capatalized with a five-play and 55-yard drive that culminated in a 29-yard TD run by Kenny Sims with 10:14 left to play. The PAT was no good and left the score at 41-17.
B-W continued its hurry-up offense down the field and found the endzone when Gardner hit sophomore receiver Anthony Fairhurst (Ashland/ Senior) for a seven-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play and 60-yard drive. Pollock's PAT was no good and kept the score at 41-23 with 8:11 left in the fourth quarter.
The Yellow Jackets made things interesting with another quick TD on a five-yard run by Gardner with 5:12 left in the game to cap a five-play and 51-yard drive. B-W missed a two-point conversion and the score remained 41-29.
The Student Princes recovered the ensuing on-side kick and drove to the BW 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs with 2:54 remaining.
B-W then drove 75 yards on 11 plays in 1:51 and scored again when Gardner hooked up with sophomore wide out Devon Jennings (Euclid) from five yards out. Pollock's PAT brought the score to 41-36 with 1:03 left in the game.
The Jackets then attempted two on-side kicks, each negated by penalty, giving the ball back to the Student Princes, who ran out the clock for the win.
Offensively, B-W was led by Gardner, who completed 25-of-39 passes for 253 yards and a score in addition to rushing for 76 yards on 13 carries. Miker rushed for 128 yards on 20 carries to go over the 100-yard plateau for the third consecutive week and Jennings caught five balls for 62 yards and a score.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets were paced by sophomore linebacker Brett Thompson (Shelby) with 12 tackles, including three for loss. Junior linebacker Ryan Kish (Amherst/ Steele) recorded 11 stops and Duganhad nine tackles, a sack and an interception.
The Student Prince offense was led by Miller who completed 21-of-31 passes for 246 yards and 4 TD. Sims rushed for 111 yards on 15 carries and Preston had seven receptions for 62 yards.
FOR MORE B-W Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Nick Minerd by phone at 440-826-2780 and e-mail at nminerd@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest B-W athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.
