November 10, 2007 -- Head Coach Jeff Ramsey's Oberlin football team earned a huge win today over visiting Allegheny College, 27-22, in front of a crowd of over 2,500 at Savage Stadium. The Yeomen hadn't defeated the Gators since 1985, and by holding off a late comeback attempt by Allegheny, Oberlin claimed sole possession of third place in the North Coast Athletic Conference with an impressive 5-2 league record.

Allegheny trailed 15-27 with 55 seconds left, but a 16-yard run by quarterback T.J. Salopek set up a successful onside kick attempt to give the Gators hope in the closing seconds. With six seconds remaining in the game, Salopek's pass was tipped by several Oberlin players and caught in the end zone by Allegheny's Pete Obroun; however, his feet were narrowly out of bounds and the celebration began in Oberlin. Oberlin finished the 2007 campaign at 5-5 overall, while the Gators slipped to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

There were a number of heroes today for Oberlin in the win. Allegheny came into the game with a highly touted defense; however, it was the play of Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Andy Stillman's defense that proved to be crucial on Senior and Parent's Day. The Yeomen's defense scored two touchdowns and had three interceptions to go along with a touchdown and two field goals on the offensive side of the ball.

Allegheny scored first off a one-yard run by Matt Cellini. The Gators botched the snap on the point after attempt, and senior wide receiver Cassius Harris intercepted Pat Kahle's pass. From its own end zone, Allegheny's punt was blocked with 4:16 left in the first quarter by senior Cody Hartley. Hartley picked up his own blocked kick to give the Yeomen a 7-6 lead.

With 7:20 left in the second quarter, Harris caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Greg Mangan to put the Yeomen up 14-6. First-year kicking standout Zach Richard then booted a 34-yard field goal to give Oberlin a 17-6 lead at the half.

Allegheny answered in the third quarter and beginning of the fourth with a field goal and a 29-yard touchdown pass from Salopek to Jim Lieb. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Gators trailed 15-17 with 12:21 left in the game.

Richard added another field goal, this time from 24 yards out, to give Oberlin a 20-15 lead after a 11-play, 46-yad drive that ate 4:57 off the clock. Allegheny got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining; however, Derrick Dennis put the game away with a 56-yard interception return with 1:21 left. Oberlin was flagged for excessive celebration and was forced to kick off from its own 15-yard line, setting up a strong Allegheny kick return and the imminent comeback attempt.

Oberlin was led offensively by Harris, who hauled in five catches for 94 yards and a score, Mangan, who went 20-34 for 236 yards and a touchdown, and Carroll, who rushed 22 times for 77 yards, including several key clock-eating runs late in the fourth quarter. Carroll also caught four passes for 35 yards to total over 100 yards of offense on the day.

Defensively, again for the second straight week, its the same game of pick your star. Senior Chase Palmer certainly ended his Oberlin career on a high note. He led all players with 14 tackles (0.5 for loss) and broke up four passes, including Allegheny's last second pass attempt. Senior Michael Evans had two interceptions for 39 yards and six tackles, while first-year Derrick Dennis had nine tackles (1.5 for loss), a pass breakup, quarterback hurry, and a 56-yard interception return for a score. Senior Geoff Sirockman had 10 tackles, while classmate Nick Bartlett racked up eight tackles (one for loss) and a pass breakup. Senior defensive end Chris Pisani had a fine closing game for the Yeomen, tallying five tackles (1.5 for a loss of eight yards) and 0.5 sacks for seven yards.

Allegheny was led by wide receiver Jim Lieb, who caught nine passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Mateo Villa had 13 tackles and a quarterback hurry.

For the second straight season, records were simply smashed in Oberlin. Too numerous to completely list, the records broken in 2007 well-represent the Oberlin football program's drastic progress in the last few years. During today's game, senior wide receiver Chris Schubert became the NCAC's second all-time leading receiver with 2,536 yards. He also just missed out on becoming the league's all-time leader in career all-purpose yardage.

As a team, Oberlin broke the single-season record for total offense in a season with 3,853 yards in 2007. Ramsey's squad accumulated 3,804 yards in 2006. The Yeomen also set a plethora of other significant records, including points in a season.

Missed the game today in person? Or, want to see it again? Check out SportsTime Ohio tomorrow afternoon at noon.

Box Score