TIFFIN -- Closing the season at home on Senior Day, the Heidelberg University Football team came up short in a 14-10 loss to Baldwin Wallace. On a chilly, overcast Saturday afternoon, the defenses combined for 10 three-and-outs and controlled the flow of the game.
The Student Princes close the season 5-5 overall, 4-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Yellow Jackets improved to 7-3, 6-3.
Baldwin Wallace struck first with a touchdown on their second drive. Quarterback Charlie Bubonics broke a tackle in the backfield, bought time rolling to his right, and found a wide-open Mikel Love in the corner of the end zone.
The score remained 7-0 late into the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets recovered a fumble and returned it to the Heidelberg 18 yard line with 48 seconds left in the half. On the next play, 'Berg graduate Oliver Kelleher, a grad transfer to BW, hauled in a touchdown pass in tight coverage. After the extra point, Baldwin Wallace led 14-0.
Rather than go quietly into halftime, Heidelberg responded. Four straight completions from quarterback Ty Poorman put the Student Princes in the end zone. Matthew Drdul nabbed the two-yard touchdown in traffic with 13 seconds left in the stanza.
Still unwilling to retreat to the locker room, Heidelberg successfully recovered a pooch onside kick, with Camden Dings grabbing the kick down the right sideline. The Tricolor tried to find the end zone, but a sack on second down ended the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Heidelberg began the fourth with a chip shot 22-yard field goal from Ethan Ramsdail that made the score 14-10.
BW missed a field goal on the ensuing possession and it seemed like Heidelberg was destined for a Senior Day comeback. Having already converted on two third down plays on the drive, HU faced 3rd-and-7 from near midfield. BW's Devontae Jackson stepped in front of a pass and picked it off.
Undaunted, the 'Berg defense stiffened. Electing to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the HU 40, BW was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage by Bryant Pfeiffer, Kane Mears, and a whole host of amped up defenders.
Poorman was sacked twice on the next 'Berg drive, forcing HU to punt. Logan Streacker saved his best kick for last, bouncing a 54-yard punt that came to rest at the one-yard line.
On 3rd-and-6 from the BW five, Bubonics scrambled to his left and backhanded a first-down pass to Vinny Lomeo. From there, one more first down for BW sealed the win for the visitors.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
Poorman was 14-of-27 for 180 yards, a pick and a touchdown … Drew Miller carried the ball 17 times for 51 yards … Four-year starter Easton St. Clair had a sack and a 4th-down pass deflection … Jo Norris continued his incredible season with a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble/recovery with a 45-yard return. He added a sensational diving pass break up in the red zone.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
BW has won seven straight over Heidelberg, with four of the last five decided by less than a touchdown … The Heidelberg Football team has finished .500 or better in each of the past 15 seasons, tying the program's longest streak -- set from 1946-1960.
