Tigers host league leader Denison on Old Gold Day

Thursday, October 27, 2016

DePauw University wraps up the home portion of its football schedule at 2 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Denison in a North Coast Athletic Conference game.

The Tigers are 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the NCAC after last Saturday’s 37-15 loss to Ohio Wesleyan, while the Big Red, ranked 22nd by D3football.com and 24th in the latest coaches’ poll, are 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the NCAC following last week’s 42-29 win over Allegheny.

Saturday’s game is part of Old Gold Day which originated in 1907 and was designed to put a formal stop to scrapping between freshmen and sophomores in the fall. Originally, the day began with an organized scrap between the freshmen and sophomores in the morning, a football game in the afternoon and some sort of dramatic performance in the afternoon. Only later did it become primarily a homecoming day.

This marks the 109th year there’s been a football game on Old Gold Day. DePauw teams have posted a 69-36-3 record for a .653 winning percentage. The Tigers have won the last three Old Gold Day games and 30 of the last 35.

The Tigers’ offense averages 41.0 points and 494.6 yards per game with quarterback Matt Hunt completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 1,790 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Hunt also leads the squad in rushing with 89.6 yards per game for a total offense of 345.3 yards per contest which ranks 12th in Division III. Jason Kirchhoff follows with 77.3 rushing yards each outing.

Andy Hunt leads the way with 48 receptions, 522 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Ian Good follows with 46 grabs for 419 yards.

Will Longthorne paces the defense with 70 tackles including 10.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks. Thomas Gray follows with 48 stops and Brooks Hepp 46. Nate Orrison is the team leader with 12.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks.

Hepp leads the way with five interceptions and 14 pass breakups. Hepp leads Division III with 2.7 passes defended (interceptions and breakups) per game. Marko Adams has successfully booted

33-of-36 extra-point attempts and hit 10-of-13 field goal tries with four of over 40 yards.

Hunter Sego averages 34.6 yards per punt and has placed 12 of his 28 boots inside the opponent’s 20.

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