TIFFIN – On an otherwise dreary Homecoming afternoon, reserve quarterback Tyler Stoyleshined as the Heidelberg University football team defeated Otterbein University, 49-31.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Student Princes, who improved to 1-3 (1-2 OAC). Heidelberg amassed a season-high 559 yards of total offense. Otterbein, which gained 420 yards of total offense, fell to 2-2 (2-1 OAC).
Heidelberg retains the Rhine River Cup for the fifth straight season. Otterbein leads the trophy-game series, 13-10.
THREE STARS
Stoyle, playing in place of injured senior Jon Sandwisch, made a stunning debut. The sophomore from Centerburg was 30-of-45 passing for 388 yards and five touchdowns.
Stoyle's receivers made a number of acrobatic catches, diving across the turf at Hoernemann Stadium. Nick DeLisa had nine grabs for 81 yards and two scores. Demetrius Magee had six receptions, two touchdowns and 152 yards. Zach Hogya, Braden Jerome and LaShaun Mooreeach had important receptions that moved the chains.
The Heidelberg defensive line pressured Otterbein all game. Heidelberg tallied 11 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and knocked Cardinal QB Kevan Green down constantly.
FIRST QUARTER
Otterbein took the opening kick, marched 80 yards in 11 plays and got on the board first. In a wildcat formation, Cole Benner squeezed into the end zone on a keeper. Abass Ceesay added the extra point.
Heidelberg responded immediately. Lacey took the ensuing kickoff at his 2, ran the length of the field for a touchdown. Stephen Smith's extra point was blocked.
The Cardinals added to their lead on the next possession. Kevan Green found Benner for a 23-yard touchdown, which gave Otterbein a 14-6 lead.
Still in the first, Heidelber g went 62 yards in 12 plays for a score. The drive was capped by a DeLisa touchdown from Stoyle from 11 yards out. After a failed two-point conversion, Otterbein led 14-12.
SECOND QUARTER
Early in the second, Otterbein went up nine, 21-12. After rushing for a score and receiving a touchdown, Benner completed the football cycle by passing for a touchdown. Benner hit Julian Lowe with a pop-pass that he took in for a five-yard touchdown.
Heidelberg turned on the intensity late in the half. Stoyle connected with Jerome for a five-yard touchdown strike with 95 seconds left. Smith's PAT cut the Cards lead down to two.
Forced into a three-and-out, Otterbein lined up for a punt at their own 29. The snap to punter Joe Sanfillipo was mishandled and Heidelberg took over at the Otterbein 13 with 1:03 left. Pushed back to the 18, Heidelberg faced 4th-and-12. Eschewing an attempt for a 35-yard field goal, Heidelberg head coach Mike Hallett opted to go for it. The result was an 18-yard back-breaking touchdown pass from Stoyle to Demetrius Magee in the left side of the end zone.
THIRD QUARTER
Fortunate to have a 26-21 lead, Heidelberg opened the second half with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. It ended with another five-yard touchdown from Stoyle to DeLisa, with the junior sliding to make the catch in the back corner of the end zone.
After Otterbein kicked a 21-yard field goal to cut the HU lead down to 33-24, Stoyle connected with Magee on a beautiful 71-yard touchdown. After another missed PAT, the Student Princes led 39-24.
Otterbein scored for the final time with 3:53 left in the frame. Julian Lowe caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Green. Lowe finished with 129 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions. Green threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns on 30-of-45 passing.
On 4th-and-1 from the Otterbein 13, Lacey pounded his way into the end zone for another Heidelberg score. Smith's kick put the Tricolor ahead 46-31 after three.
FOURTH QUARTER
The only points in the final 15 minutes came via a 23-yard field goal by Smith.
Shawn Beltz put an exclamation point on the Rhine River Cup with an interception late in the fourth. Beltz caught the pass and got his feet in bounds right inside the Otterbein sideline.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Stoyle's five touchdowns were the most by a Heidelberg quarterback since last year's Rhine River Cup. Michael Mees threw for six scores in Westerville on October 4, 2014.
DeLisa set a career high with is nine receptions.
Lacey's kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for a Student Prince since DeLisa accomplished the feat in a 72-17 win over Capital University on Homecoming in 2013.
At halftime, Heidelberg honored its newest Hall of Fame inductees – Stephen Devine '72, Karen McConnell '84, Matt Randolph '94 and the 2003 baseball team.
Also at intermission, members of the undefeated 1955 football team were honored on the 60th anniversary of their remarkable season.
After the game, cross country runner Brandon McNeil and softball player Paige Atterholt were crowned as Homecoming King & Queen.
QUOTES
Head coach Mike Hallett on the play of Stoyle: "He had a relly good day. He threw the ball very well, accurately and put the ball on the money in some tight windows. Thank goodness we have a guy like Tyler when there's injuries. This is the first time since I've been at Heidelberg that we've had to use a backup quarterback."
Hallett on Stoyle: "Tyler is a coach's son, his dad is the head coach at Centerburg and you could tell from the time Tyler got here that he's a coach's son. He's very cerebral."
Hallett on the play of the defense: "I'm really proud of our defense...early on they gave up a couple scores but they really buckled down after halftime. I think they had about 100 yards in the second half."
Hallett on the momentum swing to end of the 1st half: (The dropped punt) gave us an opportunity to get a score and go ahead before the half and give us some breathing room.
Hallett on the long pass to Magee: "The 3rd quarter, we hit the long pass to D. Magee, and that was the play that said to me, we're back and we're going to roll now."
Quarterback Tyler Stoyle on the receivers: "The receivers played phenomenal, caught balls, and made my job easier. They did a really good job of getting open once I got on the move, redirecting and getting my vision. I couldn't have asked for more from them."
Stoyle on his relationship with Otterbein head coach Tim Doup: "I've known coach Doup since I was born. He's a great guy, great coach....it's just ironic that my first start was against him, having known him my whole life."
Stoyle on his preparation moving forward: "I've just got to make sure I stay ready like I do and be prepared if my number gets called."
UP NEXT
Heidelberg heads back on the road, facing Muskingum (0-4, 0-3) next Saturday. Otterbein drives across town for its rivalry game with Capital University (2-1, 2-0 OAC, playing MTU at 7 p.m. on 10/3).