With the lights shining and the crowd roaring, junior quarterback James Parker had his best game of the season - and completed the most passes of any NCAC quarterback this season.
"He really took control," coach Pete Peterson said. "His field generalship was better than it ever has been." Despite Parker's tremendous passing game, the Oberlin Crimson Thunder lost to perennial Wittenberg Tigers last Saturday night with a final score of 63-6 - their worst loss of the season.
Last Saturday's night game came after a three hour travel, during which the team took the opportunity to consolidate their week of training and video-viewing in to a greater focus for the game ahead. "We came out flying," said first-year Alec Nisbet, "the team was really psyched to play this game."
Playing on turf for the first time this season was a new and invigorating experience for the Thunders. For Nisbet, it was his first chance to play a night game on turf instead of grass. "It was a very fast game," said Nisbet, "and perfect football weather." Nisbet said the pace of the game made it more fun than the home games.
For the first five minutes of the game the Thunders really gelled and had a great drive on the first possession of the ball, according to Nisbet. But it was a let down as the Tigers scored with six minutes left in the first quarter, and then again with three minutes remaining.
Oberlin stepped it up in the second quarter and scored a touchdown when wide receiver Anthony Johnson caught a nine yard pass from quarterback James Parker.
Oberlin had a strong passing game, completing 23 passes compared with Wittenberg's 10 and gaining 203 yards passing versus 68 yards. Parker was responsible for passing all 203 yards the Yeomen gained. Wide receivers Felix Brooks-Chruch, and Anthony Johnson caught for 90 and 56 yards, respectively.
Wittenberg is currently third in the NCAA Conference, and is known historically for its great football program. Their only loss this season came against another NCAC powerhouse, Allegheny.
The Tigers also depended on their running game heavily. Three Wittenberg quarterbacks contributed in throwing the 68 yards gained by passing in the entire game. Wittenberg also did not punt once throughout the entire game.
Oberlin only got the ball off kick-offs and from a pair of interceptions.
The Tigers scored a total four touchdowns in the second quarter, before bringing in their second string after the half.
Despite the traditional half time snack of Cyto-Max, an energy inducer for athletes, Oberlin was unable to fend off Wittenberg for the next two quarters. Wittenberg managed to pull through with one touchdown in the third quarter and two in the fourth leaving a final score of 63-6.
"We got tired," said Nisbet. "It was a more difficult game than it could've been."
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