In its first North Coast Athletic Conference game of the season, the Oberlin College football team defeated the Hiram College Terriers. The Yeomen scored 28 points, while Hiram only mustered 14 points. Oberlin is now 2-2 for the season and 1-0 in conference, while Hiram falls to 0-4 overall.

Head Coach Jeff Ramsey commented on the game, saying, “They did a really good job of running the ball. Overall the team pressured them, so they couldn’t run the ball really well. [Oberlin] played very well.”

Junior co-captain and wide receiver Chris Schubert explained that the Yeomen had to adjust their play in order to be successful. “We had a set plan, but because we couldn’t pass the ball that well, we had to get away from the game plan. We switched it up and said we were going to run the ball down Hiram’s throats and we did so.”

A standout performance from sophomore running back RV Carroll helped the team to victory. He carried the ball 33 times for 213 yards rushing. Carroll’s rushing total was the third best game performance in OC football history. The only two other men with greater yardage in a single game were Travis Oman, who rushed for 216 yards against Denison University in 2001 and Mike Koslow with a 259 yard total against Kenyon College in 1963. Carroll ranks sixth in the nation for most rushing yards in Division III and is one of the best running backs in the country.

Sophomore tight end JJ Hepp commented on Carroll’s performance: “[It] was outstanding this week. He showed a real toughness running people over while also showing his speed breaking a few long runs.”

Hiram was the first team to score, late in the first quarter, but soon after the Yeomen responded when Carroll broke loose and scored a 41-yard touchdown. Late in the first half, sophomore quarterback Greg Mangan connected with junior wide receiver Andy Stein for a 29-yard pass. Shortly after, Carroll secured the score with five minutes left in the half.

More scoring came in the second half when sophomore linebacker Zach Warner intercepted Hiram quarterback Trevor Henderson’s pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. His touchdown put Oberlin up 21-14.

Hepp also heaped praise on Warner’s play: “I think that the most exciting play of the game was Zack Warner’s interception return for a touchdown. He has turned into one of the biggest impact players on the defense, regularly making huge plays this year. The interception that he returned really helped to crush Hiram’s hopes of a win and ensured our victory.”

The final score of the game came from an eight play, 92 yard drive. A quick 27 yard pass from Mangan to junior wide receiver Cassius Harris set-up Carroll for his third touchdown of the game and left the score at 28-14.

The Yeomen defense played a crucial role in allowing the OC offense to dominate. Warner led the defensive line with four tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss while junior defensive lineman Chris Pisani added four tackles and forced a Hiram fumble. Junior defensive back Clayton Thurmer managed 4.5 tackles and a half of a sack.

Hepp also commented on junior defensive back Nick Bartlett’s performance: “[He] had a couple huge pass break-ups throughout the game. He made a couple plays that prevented what would have been a touchdown or two.”

The Yeomen will play their next conference game against Denison’s Big Red at 1 p.m on Saturday, Oct. 7 on Dill Field.

After taking care of business against Hiram, the team will head into the Denison game with confidence.

“Denison is a little down so far this year, but they are a good team and will definitely be a tough match this week. I’m sure they will come out ready to play, trying to get a conference win. We really need to come out focused and ready to play hard the entire game, right from the start,” Hepp said.

Schubert also commented on Oberlin’s preparation for the upcoming game. “Once again, we’ll get to it during practice this week, set our game plan and go out Saturday afternoon and hopefully come out with a win. Denison is a good team with some good speed, but if we do what we have to, we will come out with the W.”