TIFFIN -- For the ninth year in a row, the Rhine River Cup will reside in Tiffin. The Heidelberg University Football beat Otterbein University in grand fashion, setting several records in a 69-13 romp. Heidelberg improved to 5-3 overall, 4-2 in the OAC, and 19-14 in the Rhine River Cup series.
The Heidelberg offense racked up 701 yards, 398 on the ground and 303 through the air. The defense picked off two passes, had a goalline stand, and limited the Cardinals to 180 yards of offense.
The Berg had a nice opening drive, going 69 yards in nine plays.
Drew Miller accounted for all but seven of the yards on the drive, plunging in from three yards out.
Landon Stein added the extra point.
HU's lead was short-lived, as Otterbein's Brayden Bayles returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. After recovering a muffed ball on the next kickoff, it looked like it might be Otterbein's day.
But it wasn't.
Heidelberg's defense forced a turnover on downs, then HU took the lead with a 21-yard field goal by Stein. An Otterbein 3-and-out preceded a punt, which
Leo Martin returned 42 yards into Cardinal territory. There,
Ty Poorman found tight end
Micah Willink in the middle of the field for a 13-yard touchdown. HU led, 24-7.
After another turnover of downs, Heidelberg hit a home run with a 65-yard strike to
Solomon Sandoval for a score.
Shortly after the two-minute timeout,
Tommie McDonald picked off a pass and was tackled near midfield. A long pass on the first play from Poorman to
Dmitry Peters pushed HU into the red zone. Miller dove in from a yard out, giving the Tricolor a 38-7 advantage at halftime.
Otterbein took the second half kick and drove down to the Heidelberg one-yard line -- but could not find paydirt on three tries, turning the ball over on downs for the third time in the game.
Backed up in their own end, HU tried to make room with a tush-push, but were unable to gain ground. With Otterbein cheating in, Heidelberg used a play-action fake to Miller and Poorman rifled the ball downfield. Peters ran under it, snaring it at the 'Berg 45, before he motored the final 55 yards for a 99-yard touchdown reception … the longest in school history.
Korbyn Haley scored on the next 'Berg possession, pushing the lead to 52-7 in the third. Otterbein scored a touchdown on their next drive, but had their extra point blocked.
Cruising in the fourth, HU added touchdowns from Braylen Parker and
Luke Blatnik and a 22-yard field goal from Stein.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: Miller amassed 142 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries -- the fifth time going over 100 yards this season … Poorman was 9-for-11 for 254 and three scores … Peters had a career-high 151 yards receiving … The defense limited Otterbein to 10 first downs … Otterbein was 1-for-9 on third down and 0-for-4 on fourth down.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: The Poorman-Peters 99-yarder beat the previous record of 98 yards set in 1999 by Reid Geibel and James Denegall against Marietta … Heidelberg surpassed 700 yards of offense for the first time since racking up 729 yards in a 69-52 barnburner vs. Ohio Northern in 2014 (the last home game before Hoernemann Stadium was dedicated) … The 701 yards of offense, 398 yards rushing, and 69 points were all Rhine River records … For the second time this season, Heidelberg didn't punt.
SCOTT DONALDSON SAYS: "Our kids came in with a great mindset today and they didn't panic when we gave up the kickoff return and fumbled it right back … I thought our offensive staff had an incredible game plan in place and executed it flawlessly … Our defense was smart and aggressive the entire game … I'm so proud of this entire team."
UP NEXT: Heidelberg hosts Wilmington on Senior Day next Saturday. Kickoff at Hoernemann Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
