TIFFIN -- On a blustery Senior Day, the Heidelberg University football team fell painstakingly short in a 21-20 overtime loss to Baldwin Wallace University.  The Yellow Jackets forced overtime with a late field goal, then opted to go for a two-point conversion to win the game.  

With extremely strong winds gusting across the field, Heidelberg relied largely on its ground attack.  HU's Montavious Yearby had 40 carries for 219 yards -- both career highs -- and a touchdown in the loss.  The senior accounted for nearly 70% of The Berg's yardage.  

Despite the wind, Heidelberg got on the board with a field goal by Branden Steckel.  The senior's 35-yard boot capped a six-play, 34-yard drive.  

Working with another short field after a partially-blocked punt by Matthew Drdul, Heidelberg scored the only touchdown of the first half midway through the second quarter.  Drew Sims found Glenn Pearson on a 7-yard out route for a touchdown.  Steckel's PAT put HU ahead 10-0.  

Following a three-and-out by BW, HU drove into the red zone again thanks to two long runs by Yearby.  Unable to find paydirt, the Tricolor settled for a 24-yard field goal by Steckel.  

Heidelberg carried their 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter.  Reese Wamer found Elijah Arnett for a four-yard touchdown pass on fourth down.  Dean Sarris tacked on the PAT.  

On their next drive, BW moved into the Heidelberg red zone before their drive stalled.  Sarris blasted through a 37-yarder that brought the visitors to within three with 7:44 to play.  

Looking to drain as much time off the clock as possible, HU moved the ball down as far as the BW 7.  Beset by a holding penalty, Heidelberg faced 3rd-and-goal from the 13 yard line with 2:16 left. A fade in the left corner of the end zone was intercepted, giving hope to the pesky Yellow Jackets.  

Desperate for points, BW faced 3rd-and-5 from their own 35.  Despite excellent coverage from Key Cunningham, Arnett made a terrific catch for a 38-yard gain which changed the complexion of the drive.  Later, stopped two yards short of a first down on a pass play across the middle, BW scrambled for a game-tying 35 yard Yarris field goal with 20 seconds left.  

BW won the overtime coin toss and elected to start on defense. On the second play, Sims found a diving TJ Rhamy for a 22-yard completion that set up a three-yard touchdown plunge by Yearby.  Steckel hit the PAT, giving HU a seven-point advantage.  

The Yellow Jackets converted on two fourth down plays -- one on 4th-and-11 and the other, a touchdown on 4th-and-10.  Joey Marousek found Tim Conwell for the score.  

Rather than attempting an extra point, BW chose to go for two and the win.  Marousek found Arnett in the right side of the end zone for the walk-off win.  
Sims finished with 76 yards on 8-of-24 passing.  Marousek was 13-of-25 for 150 yards and Wamer was 6-of-9 for 47.  

Zach Blackiston had a team-high nine tackles, including two for loss and one sack.  Griffin Pendry picked off his first pass of the year.  

Prior to the game, Heidelberg honored 31 senior football players.  The group of 31 then gathered around the family of the late Curtis Helman, a 'Berg linebacker who passed away in the spring of 2021, on what would have been his final game in Hoernemann Stadium

Heidelberg will wrap up the 2022 season at Capital next weekend.  Kickoff with the Comets is slated for a 1:30 p.m. start.