Tigers upended by Ohio Wesleyan

Sunday, October 23, 2016

After visiting Ohio Wesleyan jumped out to a 14-0 lead, DePauw University scored 15 unanswered to take the lead but the Battling Bishops scored the final 23 in a 37-15 North Coast Athletic Conference win over the Tigers on Saturday in college football action.

DePauw dropped to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference, while Ohio Wesleyan improved to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in the NCAC.

The Battling Bishops scored on their first possession as quarterback Dominick Orsini ran through the Tigers on fourth-and-two for a 37-yard score. Orsini then teamed with Tyler DeVitis for a 15-yard pass play with 4:27 left in the first to make it 14-0.

The Tigers put together a 13-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Marko Adams’ 18-yard field goal with 14:13 left in the half.

OWU drove to the Tigers’ 22 on its next series, but was stopped on downs.

Matt Hunt picked up 24 yards on the first play of the next possession and, four plays later, connected with his brother Andy for a 42-yard scoring play. The point-after was off the mark and DePauw trailed 14-9 with 8:44 remaining in the half.

DePauw took its only lead of the game when the Hunts teamed together for a 3-yard scoring pass that capped a 10-play, 83-yard drive. Again, the extra point was off the mark and the Tigers held a 15-14 advantage with 3:21 left in the half.

DePauw’s defense had the Battling Bishops backed up to their 9-yard line on the next drive, but Jesse Beachy picked up 75 yards on the 3rd-and-11 play that ended at DePauw’s 16. Three plays later Orsini scored on a run from the 7 to make it 21-15.

DePauw cornerback Cody Baker ended an Ohio Wesleyan threat early in the third when he intercepted Orsini in the end zone. The Tigers were unable to take advantage and punted back to Ohio Wesleyan.

The Battling Bishops then drove 61 yards in 11 plays with Alex Barrett scoring on a 19-yard run that made it 28-15 with 7:07 left in the third.

Ohio Wesleyan outgained DePauw 568-300 and held the Tigers to just one first down and 51 yards in the second half.

Matt Hunt led DePauw with 121 rushing yards, while throwing for 134.

Early in the game, he became DePauw’s all-time total offense leader as he broke the mark of 9,293 yards held by Spud Dick (2006-09) and now has 9,521. Andy Hunt caught seven for 83 yards.

He also tied Dick’s record of 76 career touchdown passes.

Orsini totaled 494 yards of offense with 252 on the ground and 242 in the air on 20-of-32 passing.

Will Longthorne led the DePauw defense with 12 tackles, while Hepp and Thomas Gray each added 10. Hepp also had four pass breakups.

Gary Brodek led the Battling Bishops with nine tackles along with two breakups and two hurries.

DePauw hosts league-leading Denison next Saturday at 2 p.m.

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