TIFFIN -- A fourth-quarter interception by
Nick Finn ignited a late surge that lifted the Heidelberg University Football team to a 40-14 win over Maryville College on a muggy Saturday at Hoernemann Stadium. HU's offense scored three explosive touchdowns after Finn's pick, turning a close game into a romp.
Quarterback
Alex Arledge had a career day, finishing with 299 yards and three touchdowns.
Aiden Bradshaw had six catches for 199 yards and two scores.
"I was very proud of our effort and mental toughness on a hot, humid day," said Head Coach
Scott Donaldson. "We came out and set the tone early, then finished with grit."
The 'Berg scored on its first three possessions, getting 31- and 37-yard field goals from freshman
Gryffin Bradley in the first quarter before adding a quarterback sneak by Arledge for a touchdown in the second.
Arledge connected with Bradshaw on an 86-yard pitch-and-catch for a score with 3:11 left, giving HU a 19-0 lead.
The Scots managed to score just before halftime, then took 10 minutes off the clock with a touchdown drive to open the second half. Suddenly, the 'Berg lead had dwindled to five with five minutes left in the third.
In the fourth, Maryville took possession at its own 28. After a miscommunication on first down resulted in a 12-yard loss, the Scots took to the air on second down. Dropping back into coverage, Finn -- a junior linebacker from Buchanan, Michigan -- leapt into the air like a spooked cat to acrobatically nab a pass from Coby Walton.
Five plays later, Arledge found Bradshaw on the right side of the end zone. Despite being well covered, Bradshaw juggled the ball and got his feet down for the insurance touchdown. Bradley's point after put HU up 26-14 midway through the fourth.
One play after the 'Berg defense got a turnover on downs, Arledge lofted a ball to a wide-open
Mason Mossbarger, whose route on the play had the defensive back beyond striking distance.
Up 33-14,
Brylen Parker put a nice bow on the afternoon with a 69-yard touchdown run, the second score of his career.
The Heidelberg defense forced two turnovers, racked up five sacks and recorded 12 tackles for loss.
Thomas Zacharko,
Nick Jacoby,
Williams Betancourt and
Mason Villarreal each had more than one TFL.
UP NEXT:
Heidelberg travels to Otterbein next week with the Rhine River Cup on the line. Kickoff in Westerville is slated for 7 p.m.
