Box Score TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University Football team rocketed out to a 38-0 lead before coasting to a 38-14 season-opening victory over Hiram College on Thursday night. Mark Wilder had three rushing touchdowns and TK Fikes picked off a pair of passes to help HU start the season 1-0 for the eighth straight season. 

The season began with a bang as Tyreese Clerveau returned the opening kick 79 yards before being tripped up by the kicker inside the 10-yard line. Heidelberg settled for an Ethan Ramsdail field goal.

Aided by a pass interference call on their next drive, Heidelberg took a 10-0 lead on a 1-yard touchdown rush by Wilder and a PAT from Ramsdail

Fikes's first interception of the game came on a third down at the Hiram 45. Sliding down to his knees, he picked off the pass. Two plays later, Wilder ran wild for a 45-yard touchdown. 

Benefitting from a Hiram punting miscue, HU started the second with the ball at the Terrier 8-yard line. Wilder carried the ball twice, plunging into the end zone from four yards out. 

On the ensuing Hiram possession, Fikes stepped in front of a pass along the 'Berg sideline, caught it, and returned it 37 yards for the first pick-six of his career.  Ramsdail connected on the extra point and the Tricolor led 31-0. 

A shanked punt on the next Hiram possession gave HU the ball inside Terrier territory. In his play as a Student Prince, transfer quarterback Alex Arledge rifled a pass deep down the left side. Ithan Cholewa ripped the ball off the facemask of the cornerback and danced to the end zone in front of a boisterous student section. HU led, 38-0. 

Hiram scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half, using a costly personal foul and a botched punt snap to score touchdowns. The Berg led 38-14 at half. 

Both teams were held scoreless in the second half as both offenses struggled to find a rhythm. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Wilder finished with 111 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries … Starting quarterback Lance Rickle finished the day completing 10 passes on 21 attempts for 78 yards with two interceptions … Alex Arledge completed three of four attempts with 57 yards and one touchdown … The hard-hitting defense, which held the Terriers to 10 first downs, was led by Easton St. Clair's eight tackles … Trey Farris and Cole Poorman each forced a fumble.  

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Wilder's three touchdowns were the most by a 'Berg tailback since Montavious Yearby scored five times in last year's game at Hiram … The pick-six from Fikes was Heidelberg's first since Key Cunningham and Jo Norris III's against Otterbein last year … Arledge's touchdown pass was the first of his career. 

FROM COACH DONALDSON
On the win: "Wins are big. It was a very ugly win, and we have a lot to clean up…but number one, our defense played exceptionally well, and honestly other than one play, our special teams played exceptionally well. I am very happy with both of those things."

About Fikes:  "Unbelievable plays. TK has been a player for us for years, and I am so happy to see him get into the endzone especially in front of the student section there, that was amazing to see"

UP NEXT
The Berg will begin OAC action against Ohio Northern on Sept. 21, at Hoernemann Stadium in the annual Bendo Bowl, created in memory of the late Ronnie and Jason Bendekovic. That game will also serve as Hall of Fame Day and Family Day. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Banquet and the 7 p.m. game are still on sale at BergAthletics.com/Tickets.