When the ball is in his hands, Dushawn Brown kicks it into another gear. Photo by Jace Delgado

Some receivers can pick up speed when they get the ball in order to gain a few extra yards.

When Dushawn Brown hits the gas, though, good luck trying to catch him.

The senior Denison standout is coming off an outstanding season in which he became the first receiver to earn the NCAC’s Offensive Player of the Year award. He set program records with 83 catches for 1,397 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 1,807 all-purpose yards set a program mark as well.

Furthermore, his 1,397 receiving yards broke the single-season NCAC mark set by Wittenberg’s Josh McKee in 2010. In Denison’s 45-7 win over Allegheny last season, Brown recorded the eighth-best receiving day in NCAA D-III history with 15 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns. That came after a 225-yard receiving day against Ohio Wesleyan and 272 yards receiving vs. Wooster.

“He is a special athlete. For our level, he is really fast. His acceleration and ball skills are exceptional,” Denison coach Jack Hatem said. “He will catch a ball in a crossing route and immediately get separation. His strengths are his athleticism and acceleration, more than just flat-out speed. It’s not like he runs by people and catches the deep ball.”

Brown, who finished third in the country in receiving yards last year, looks to make the most of his opportunities once he hauls in a pass.

“I am just trying to make a play after the catch,” he said. “Getting yards after the catch, that’s always our goal.”

It’s about more than just catching and running, though. Brown has worked hard at the mechanics of the position.

“Coach (Braden) Layer has had a huge impact in my game. He’s the first (receivers) coach I have had for more than one year. I am happy to have him back,” Brown said. “He has improved my route running and reading coverages and knowing what to anticipate.”

The 6-foot, 196-pounder is off to another strong start this season. He had 24 catches for 477 yards through the Big Red’s first four games. That puts him on pace to surpass 1,100 receiving yards again this year. His 100-yard receiving game streak came to an end at seven last Saturday in a 10-9 win over Ohio Wesleyan. In blustery conditions, he caught nine passes for 91 yards. More importantly for Brown, Denison moved to 4-0 for the first time since 1985 and ran its winning streak to eight.

“It feels really good. We’ve always had high expectations. This last year, it’s really showing the progress we’ve made,” Brown said. “This year has been wonderful. Everyone is all in and there’s a fantastic atmosphere. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season progresses. I am just happy to be part of a program that has given me so much. I couldn’t have done anything without them.”

The Big Red graduated two-year starting quarterback Brandon Skelnar after last season. The team has used junior Tommy Iammarino as its primary passer, while freshman Canaan Gebele has seen a lot of snaps, too. The change under center has not affected Brown.

“We practice with all the quarterbacks and we’re all really close. The chemistry has always been there,” Brown said. “With Tommy, the chemistry always has been there since he came in. With Canaan, it hasn’t been a problem whatsoever, either.”

Brown’s breakthrough season put a bull’s-eye on him this year, but he has been able to overcome it.

“He gets a little bit of special attention in coverage. He’s getting pressed at the line more and seen some special coverages. He has handled it extremely well,” Hatem said. “We try to move him around and be creative in ways to get him touches.”

Senior running back Jordan Patterson, who is a receiving threat as well, Hunter Winans, Cam Layer and David Weimar are some other weapons in the team’s arsenal.

“I think this is the fastest team we’ve had and we’re really athletic,” Hatem said. “The team unity is unbelievable. This is a really special group of kids that gets along well and works really well together. On a day-to-day basis, it has been a lot of fun for me to coach this group.”

Denison is tied atop the NCAC standings with DePauw and Wabash at 3-0.

Game of the week

No. 11 Thomas More snapped a two-game losing streak to No. 19 Washington and Jefferson with a 38-20 home win. The Saints (5-0) kept their blazing start going against the Presidents (3-1). They took the lead in the second quarter and did not relent. Washington and Jefferson cut the deficit to 24-20 with 5:58 left in the third, but the hosts pulled away in the final frame.

Thomas More racked up 439 yards of offense and sophomore running back C.T. Tarrant had a huge game with 193 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. The victory gives the Saints the advantage in the PAC championship race.

Lighting up the scoreboard

Staying in the PAC, Case Western Reserve remained hot as it rolled past Bethany, 59-20. The Spartans tied a program record with a 28-point second quarter. Case Western Reserve has piled up at least 40 points in its last three outings.

The Nov. 7 Thomas More at Case Western Reserve clash is shaping up to be quite the showdown as both remain unbeaten in PAC play at 3-0. The Spartans have a home clash against Washington and Jefferson on Oct. 24 as well.

Lighting up the scoreboard 2

Heidelberg and Otterbein combined for 80 points in the Student Princes 49-21 victory in OAC play. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Stoyle made his first career start a memorable one as he passed for 388 yards and five touchdowns to help Heidelberg capture the Rhine River Cup championship for the fifth year in a row.

Lighting up the scoreboard 3

Oberlin set a program record with 690 yards of offense in a 48-9 win over Allegheny in NCAC play. Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali set a program record, too, when he passed for 506 yards in the win. It missed tying the NCAC single-game mark by one yard.

Freshman receiver Robby Reinheimer was busy as he caught eight passes for 228 yards. That performance ranks third in program history.

Close calls

The MIAA featured a pair of 21-20 decisions on its first weekend of conference confrontations: Albion over Hope and Trine over Alma.

Albion used a late drive and held on for its win over Hope to remain unbeaten (4-0) and tied atop the standings (1-0) with Olivet (4-0). The Britons finished a 99-yard drive with Mike Czarnecki’s touchdown to post a 21-14 lead with 4:23 to play. The Flying Dutchmen stormed back and scored on Chris Leigh’s run with 16 seconds to go. However, the conversion pass sailed out of bounds.

Trine battled back from deficits of 14 and 13 points in the second half to upend Alma. The Thunder grabbed a 21-10 lead on Taylor Masiewicz’s TD run with 6:13 to go. Trine’s defense limited the Scots, who had a 20-14 lead after three quarters, to a pair of unsuccessful field goal attempts in the final frame.

What to watch

No. 20 Wittenberg visits DePauw. Wittenberg bounced back from its setback to Wabash to blank Wooster, 24-0. DePauw used a balanced attack to defeat Kenyon, 38-16. DePauw is tied with Wabash and Denison atop the NCAC standings at 3-0.

In the polls

No. 2 Mount Union (4-0) surrendered its first points of the season in a 62-7 home win against Capital. The Purple Raiders welcome Ohio Northern.

No. 8 Wabash (4-0) posted its second shutout in three games with a 38-0 win against Hiram. The Little Giants hit the road to face Oberlin.

No. 11 Thomas More (5-0) beat PAC rival No. 19 Washington and Jefferson, 45-14. See above. The Saints welcome Geneva, while the Presidents (3-1) welcome Grove City.

No. 20 Wittenberg blanked Wooster, 24-0. The Tigers (3-1) meet DePauw.

No. 21 John Carroll (3-1) fell to Ohio Northern, 30-27. It was the Blue Streaks’ third game in a row decided by a touchdown or less. They hope to get back on track vs. Wilmington.