TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University football team treated a large Homecoming crowd to fireworks throughout a 52-35 victory over Otterbein University on a crisp fall evening at Hoernemann Stadium. Up big early, the Student Princes withstood a second-half rally by the Cardinals.  

With the win, Heidelberg (5-1, 4-1 OAC) retained the Rhine River Cup over the Otterbein (0-6, 0-5). The traveling trophy has been a tradition for the annual Heidelberg-Otterbein matchup after the two teams faced off in Germany in 1992. Otterbein still holds the all-time advantage since the tradition started by an edge of 14-13. 

KEY STATS:
The nation's leader in average total yards per game broke out for 550 total yards against the Cards.

Jimmy Gephart passed 32-for-47 for 380 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Receiving, Keivon Belcher led the way with 10 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. Nick Cofer tallied six catches for 87 yards and a score. Maceo Matthews and Dimitri Penick also recorded a touchdown catch. 

Tayy Yearby rushed 25 times for a net of 144 yards and two touchdowns. Gephart rushed 11 times and a score as well. 

Defensively, Tramon Wiley and Tyler Matuszak each had seven tackles each for the Berg. Wiley, Barry Middleton, and Jacob Gerlak all recorded interceptions as well. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Student Princes burst out of the gates scoring 32 first half points, including 17 in the second quarter alone. 

On the opening drive of the game, The Berg marched down the field in 11 plays which resulted with a nine-yard scamper to the end zone by Gephart. 

The first drive of the game for Otterbein resulted in a lengthy possession that ended up in the hands of Barry Middleton who picked off QB Logan Pharmer. The Cardinals drained over four minutes of time off the clock before turning the ball over. 

With the free possession, Heidelberg found paydirt once again as Gephart found Penick on a quick 10-yard pass to the corner. 

From there, the first quarter ended with back-and-forth empty offensive drive, but Heidelberg capitalized on their first drive of the second quarter. Gephart scrambled around and found Keivon Belcher deep down the middle of the field. After collecting the ball, Belcher made two defenders miss before jaunting to the end zone for the 65-yard score. 

Later in the second quarter, the Berg made quick work of short field position and scored on a reverse option pass that ended up with Maceo Matthews throwing to Nick Cofer for the touchdown. Steckel's PAT was good to bring the score to 28-0. 

Steckel added a 31-yard field goal to extend the lead even further before the break, but the Cardinals scored on a Pharmer 29-yard pass to Reed Tucker. Zach Blackiston blocked the PAT attempt, keeping the Cards at bay before half. 

Out of the intermission, Tramon Wiley intercepted Pharmer for his fifth pick of the year and returned it 24 yards, giving the Berg excellent field position once again. On the first offensive play, Gephart connected with Matthews in the end zone for the quick score. 

From there, the Student Princes lulled through the rest of the third quarter. Otterbein tacked on another touchdown and two-point conversion to bring the score to 38-14. 

Otterbein kept up the comeback efforts in the fourth as Luke Schmeling rushed up the middle for a 22-yard score. 

Shortly after his first rushing TD, Schmeling punched in another, this time from two yards out to bring the game to within just 10 points after Heidelberg had led by as many as 32. 

The nerves did settle on Heidelberg's next possession as Tayy Yearby finally found the end zone for a three yard jaunt. After a Otterbein personal foul, the Berg kicked off from the 50-yard line. From there, David Harbaugh had a successful on-side kick that was recovered by a host of Student Princes. 

On that ensuing drive, Yearby punched in another score, this time from the one-yard line, moving the score to 52-28. 

Otterbein didn't go down quietly as Pharmer connected with Tucker again for a 18-yard score that brought the final score to 52-35. 

BEYOND THE BOX:
Belcher (10) and Cofer (6) set or tied career highs for receptions … Belcher is the first HU player with 10+ receptions in a game since Braden Jerome had 10 against Marietta in 2018.

With a career-high 32 completions, Gephart is the first HU quarterback to surpass the 30-completion plateau since Tyler Stoyle had 31 in the final game of the 2017 career.

The unconventional onside kick recovered by HU was the first for the Student Princes since the 2009 season.

Heidelberg has won the last three Rhine River Cup battles.  

QUOTES FROM THE COACH:
Head coach Scott Donaldson on Jimmy Gephart moving the offense: "He made several plays with his legs, which helped tremendously, but he did throw a couple of picks which will happen now and again."

Donaldson on the double reverse option: "Coach Lewis just looked over and said 'watch this' and the rest is history … It was great momentum and really got the crowd into the game right before halftime."

Donaldson on second-half struggles: "We just didn't execute in the second half and kind of laid down … we'll have to get that fixed quickly."

FOR THE CARDINALS: 
Logan Pharmer passed for 282 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Reed Tucker was the favorite receiver, catching nine passes for 126 yards and two scores. 

Luke Schmeling rushed 10 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns. 

Niall Lewison and Blake Montiel each recorded a pick for the Otterbein defense. 

UP NEXT: 
Heidelberg will host No. 2 Mount Union next Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Hoernemann Stadium. The Student Princes will welcome Local Community Business Day and Youth Sports Day for the game.