WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College football team's four-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night as Heidelberg University came to Williams Stadium and won a 38-16 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contest.
The Student Princes (2-0) scored on their opening drive as Drew Sims found Dimitri Patrick for an eight-yard score. The Fightin' Quakers went three-and-out on their first possession, and Sims, the reigning OAC Offensive Player of the Week, looked to setup Heidelberg for another score as he found Maceo Matthews for a 19-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Two incompletions followed, however, and Tre'Quez Parks picked off a pass on 3rd-and-10, giving his offense back the ball.
Wilmington took advantage, driving into Heidelberg territory thanks to a 3rd-and-14 completion from Kyle Barrett to Tanner Spradlin. A sack stalled the drive, but Gabe Dolen blasted a 39-yard field goal to get the hosts on the board. Both teams punted on the next two drives, but the Student Princes took control as Sims hooked up with Matthews for a 71-yard score early in the second quarter.
Trailing 14-3, Wilmington's offense was forced to punt on its next two drives, and yet another Sims to Matthews hookup put Heidelberg up 21-3 late in the second quarter. Down 21-3, the Quakers' offense put together an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Barrett to Itika Wynn Jr. touchdown from 19 yards out.
Heidelberg took over with 90 seconds to play in the half, but a three-and-out gave Wilmington the ball back at its own 35-yard line with less than a minute to play. The Quakers moved the ball into Student Prince territory, but were forced to use all three timeouts to stop the clock. Barrett looked to Wynn Jr. for a touchdown, but the pass was dropped. Wynn Jr. redeemed himself on the next play, snagging a 20-yard pass at the Heidelberg two-yard line. Unfortunately for the hosts, the clock ran out before a spike could happen.
Wilmington received the ball to open the second half and drove into Heidelberg territory, but on the 11th play of the drive, Barrett tried to fit a pass to Ace Taylor, but the Student Princes intercepted it and setup their offense in Quaker territory. The host's defense came up with a stop, and the 37-yard field goal attempt missed wide right.
The Quakers couldn't capitalize, however, and for the second consecutive week, a blocked punt resulted in an opponent touchdown as Heidelberg broke the game open 28-10.
Both teams would score once in the fourth quarter with Sims finding Nick Cofer for a 10-yard score for Heidelberg and Barrett hooking up with Wynn Jr. for a 34-yard score. The Student Princes also added a late field goal.
Wilmington outgained Heidelberg 405-358 including by a 368-289 advantage through the air. The Quakers also tallied 27 first down thanks in part to converting 11-of-23 third down attempts. The Student Prince defensive front was the difference, however, sacking Barrett eight times and holding the hosts to 0-of-3 on fourth down attempts.
Barrett finished 36-of-58 for 368 yards with two touchdowns and the interception. Wynn Jr. hauled in nine passes for 153 yards and two scores while Yvan Tientcheu had 31 yards on a dozen carries.
For Heidelberg, Sims finished 16-of-32 for 289 yards with four touchdowns and two picks. Matthews hauled in six receptions for 196 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Jarod Lee led the way for Wilmington with seven tackles and an interception while Parks had six tackles and the other Quaker interception. Zach Blackiston made nine tackles, three of which were sacks, for Heidelberg while six other Student Princes got their hands on the quarterback. Michael Warden had the visitors' interception.
Wilmington (2-1) heads to Ohio Northern University next Friday.