WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- In some ways, Friday night was about a 176-yard night for running back Montavious Yearby.  Or about a 348-yard performance by Drew Sims.  Or about a stout defense.  

But mostly, Friday night's 44-14 win over Otterbein was about the grieving process for the Heidelberg University football team.  And about picking each other up. And, most of all, it was about the late Curtis Helman.

"I'm so proud of these young men … not for the victory, just for the fact that they played," said Head Coach Scott Donaldson. "They played in honor of Curtis, and they played like he would have.  All out."

The Heidelberg defense forced two turnovers and limited the Cardinals to 281 yards of total offense … and just 50 on the ground.  The defense had 10 tackles for loss, including four sacks.  

Despite a few drives that stalled out, the 'Berg offense racked up 640 yards -- 348 through the air and 292 on the ground.  

Heidelberg (3-0) trailed 7-0 after the first quarter, but led 10-7 at halftime.  Branden Steckel connected on a 37-yard field goal, his first of three on the day.  Later, Maceo Matthews had a 66-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown late in the second quarter.  Otterbein had a potential tying field goal attempt get blocked in the final minute of the half.  

The third quarter was all Heidelberg.  Matthews caught a 15-yard touchdown to open the scoring.  On the next possession, Yearby broke free on the left sideline and sprinted to a 78-yard touchdown.  A Steckel field goal and a touchdown pass to Jace Grossman helped the Student Princes take total control of the contest.  

Otterbein (0-3) scored a touchdown early in the fourth, but Steckel's third and Sims's first collegiate touchdown rush provided the final margin of victory.  

Tyler Turek had 1.5 sacks for 11 yards while Zach Blackiston and Jared Evans each had two tackles for loss. Joseph Norris tallied his first career interception and Jacob Rigsby had a forced fumble, which he also recovered.

After the game, Ohio Athletic Conference commissioner Tim Gleason awarded the Rhine River Cup to Heidelberg for the fourth consecutive year.  Gleason, who announced that this will be his final season as the conference leader, played an instrumental role in orchestrating the 1992 trip to Germany for Heidelberg and Otterbein.  

Prior to the game, a moment of silence was observed in honor of Helman, who passed away from injuries sustained in an ATV accident last weekend.  Members of the Student Princes carried his #49 jersey with them -- an emotional end to an emotional week.  

"I want to thank everyone for their support this week," said Donaldson.  "We appreciate Otterbein and Coach Doup, for being accommodating and letting us honor Curtis as the beginning of the game."

Ohio Northern (3-0) travels to Tiffin next week for an intriguing Bendekovic Bowl match up.  The winner wins the OAC West division and would face Mount Union for the conference title on April 16. 

Action photos by Sean Moreno, Otterbein Sports Information