TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University football team matched the halftime fireworks and cannons with some fireworks of their own on the field on Saturday night. 

In the first of two home night games this season, the Student Princes (3-0) knocked off the Capital University Crusaders (0-3) by a final score of 55-6. The win marked Heidelberg's best start to a season since 2017 when they began 4-0. 

KEY STATS:
Offensively, Heidelberg put up 682 yards of total offense, including 382 on the ground and 300 in the air. 

Throwing the ball, Jimmy Gephart was 11-for-15, good for 300 yards and four touchdowns. Gephart connected with Dimitri Penick, Maceo Matthews, and Keivon Belcher twice for scores. 

On the ground, Tayy Yearby rushed for three touchdowns and 182 yards on just 10 carries. 

Defensively, Tramon Wiley intercepted his fourth pass of the season. Verondtae Wilkinson tallied three tackles for a loss, including two sacks. Tyler Matuszak and Patrick McCarthy led the defense with eight total tackles each. 

Brandon Steckel was successful on both of his field goal tries and was seven-for-seven on PATs -- a total of 13 points

HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a failed onside kick attempt from the Crusaders on the opening kickoff, Heidelberg needed just three plays to find the end zone. In excellent field position, Gephart connected on a 14-yard pickup with Nick Cofer to move the chains. Branden Short then rushed up the middle for nine yards before Gephart caught the Crusaders over the top passing to Maceo Matthews for a 36-yard touchdown. Brandon Steckel connected on the PAT, moving the score to 7-0. 

The ensuing Capital drive was halted after an 11-play drive which resulted in a Tramon Wiley interception in the end zone. The pick was Wiley's fourth interception of the season. CAP quarterback Andrew Ray was forced into a tough pass after being hurried by Verondtae Wilkinson.

Both teams exchanged punting drives before Heidelberg utilized the powerful running of Branden Short to get into scoring position. Short put together four straight running plays for 62 total yards before the drive stalled. A third-down dart from Gephart to Keivon Belcher looking for a touchdown was broken up by Balor Appiarius. On fourth down, Steckel was called upon on a 31-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0. 

The Crusaders responded with a lengthy drive that resulted in a four-yard rushing score by Ray. Capital set up quickly to press their luck by going for a two-point conversion where a rushing attempt by Jake Elsayed failed. 

The Student Princes were left frustrated by the Crusader touchdown. A blistering return by Maceo Matthews was wiped out by an illegal block, but Gephart didn't miss a beat. After two modest rushes by Short, Gephart connected on a 85-yard dagger with Dimitri Penick to reestablish the two-score lead. Steckel once again connected on the PAT. 

The Student Princes kept up the pressure forcing Capital into a punting drive. The punt traveled a harmless eight yards after a backward bounce, giving Heidelberg great field position. With the gift, Gephart worked out of a near-sack and once again went deep. This time, his pass was connected with Belcher who fought his way into the end zone moving the score to 24-6. 

Not satisfied there, the Student Princes stormed back down the field in 10 plays on a drive that resulted in a one-yard score by Tayy Yearby. After Steckel's PAT, the 31-6 scoreline carried into the half. 

After an impressive halftime 1812 Overture performance with fireworks and cannons by the Heidelberg Marching Band, the Student Princes continued their offensive burst back on the field. 

The Student Princes forced the Crusaders to punt on their first drive of the half and quickly returned to the end zone. In just two plays, Yearby found the end zone on a 73-yard outburst after picking up some great blocking. 

Once again, the Student Princes forced Capital off the field in a three-and-out and responded with a seven play drive that culminated with a one-yard touchdown pass from Gephart to Belcher. 

Heidelberg's next drive was halted after Blayde McCully forced a fumble and Appiarius recovered it for Capital. The Berg defense once again held strong, leading to another three-and-out. 

With the ball back in possession, Yearby decided to take the drive into his own hands. On back-to-back rushes, Yearby gained 22 and 59 yards respectively, with the second going for his third TD of the game. 

With the result fully secured as the defense continued to keep the Crusaders on short drives, Heidelberg continued the pressure offensively. With just over six minutes remaining in the fourth, Jace Grossman put the Student Princes inside the 10-yard line with a 47 yard rush. 

From that position, the Berg was held to a field goal try, which Steckel put through the uprights without issue. 

With the 55-6 lead, Heidelberg ran out the clock and secured their third win of the season in style in front of a packed crowd. 

BEYOND THE BOX:
Heidelberg moves to 4-1 currently in night games at Hoernemann Stadium, dating back to 2017. 

The total offensive yardage of 682 yards was the most by the Student Princes since the team put up 647 yards on October 14, 2017 vs. Otterbein

Wiley's first quarter interception marked his third consecutive game with a pick. This was the first time such a feat has happened since 2010.  Tyler Levanduski picked off passes in Games 3-5 that season.  

Gephart is now 4-0 in his first four games as a Berg starter. He is the first QB to go 4-0 in the starting role since at least the 2000 season. 

Yearby's 182-yard performance was the first time a freshman crossed the 100+ yard plateau for the Student Princes since Bryan Lacey rushed for 104 yards vs. Ohio Northern on -- oddly enough -- September 21, 2013. 

NOTABLE QUOTES:
Head coach Scott Donaldson on finding the end zone on the first drive of the game: "We've done it now for three games, and Jimmy [Gephart] executed the game plan to perfection and got us the lead early."

Donaldson on what worked so well tonight, generating nearly 700 yards of total offense: "Our coaching staff had an unbelievable game plan, and our offense obviously executed … it's not one thing that's working, it's everything."

 Donaldson talking about Tayy Yearby's breakout performance: "He just needed a chance, got that chance tonight, and he's going to be a weapon for us for years to come."

Donaldson on the biggest area of improvement: "We have to limit the penalties and stop shooting ourselves in the foot."

UP NEXT: 
The Student Princes hit the road in week four.  HU visits Baldwin Wallace, looking to avenge last year's 34-10 loss.  Kickoff in Berea is slated for 1:30 p.m.