(TIFFIN, Ohio) - Quakers fall late to Heidelberg's go-ahead field goal 34-31.
Heidelberg received the opening kickoff and sustained a 10-play touchdown drive. The Student Princes went for it on 4th and 10 and converted on a 16-yard pass. They scored two plays later on a 3-yard rush to take a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the opening quarter.
Isaac Ross and the Quakers responded right away. Ross scrambled for 16 yards on the ground and found Joseph Spann for 17 yards two plays later. On his next pass Ross found De'Anta Sanon for 39 yards and a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
The Student Princes started their next drive in the hurry up but on the fourth play of the drive Nathan Nemeth intercepted the pass. Michael Williams Jr. pressured the Heidelberg quarterback into making a poor pass. The Quakers took over at their own 34-yard line.
Wilmington took an 11-play drive and scored late in the first quarter. The Quakers also opened in the hurry up and marched down the field through the air and the ground. A defensive pass interference set Wilmington up at the Heidelberg 2-yard line. Bryce Stout took the handoff in for a touchdown to go ahead 14-7.
The Quakers' defense took care of business on the next drive. Wilmington forced a fumble on 2nd and 9 but the Student Princes recovered it. The 3rd and 13 pass attempt was incomplete and Heidelberg punted away to the Quakers.
Starting the second quarter, Ross found Xander Logan for a 22-yard gain, but the Quakers were forced to put four plays later. Wilmington forced a three-and-out and took over at their own 1-yard line after a great punt. The Quakers were able to get out to their own 24-yard line but were forced to punt. Avery Ernst's punt was blocked and Heidelberg returned it for a touchdown to tie the game 14-14.
The green and white went three-and-out on their next drive. The Student Princes drove down the field on their next drive and settled for a 31-yard field goal to go ahead 17-14. Wilmington built a long drive but was forced to punt at Heidelberg's 46-yard line. Heidelberg was unable to score with 36 seconds left in the second quarter and entered the half, still leading 17-14.
After recovering their own fumble on the kickoff, the Quakers hurried down the field. A defensive pass interference moved Wilmington to their own 27-yard line, and two plays later Ross found Sanon again this time for an explosive 70-yard touchdown to give the Quakers a 21-17 lead. Bryce Hodapp sacked the Heidelberg quarterback on 3rd and 6 in their next drive, forcing another three-and-out.
The Quakers had a long drive but were forced to punt again. Still in the hurry up, the Student Princes quickly ran down the field and scored on a 16-yard touchdown run to retake the lead, 24-21.
Ross and the Quakers bounced right back. The senior quarterback moved the offense down the field with his legs and arm. He found Logan Lovins for a 12-yard gain, scrambled for 18 yards, and then found Joseph Spann for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Wilmington led 28-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Heidelberg again quickly got down the field and retook the lead on a 13-yard touchdown run, leading 31-28. The Quakers opened the next drive with a 62-yard pass to Spann. After failing to move the chains, Camden Marx nailed a 35-yard field goal attempt to tie the game 31-31 with 11:36 to go in the fourth quarter.
On a 12-play drive, the Student Princes settled for a 26-yard field goal to lead 34-31. The field goal would end up winning the game for Heidelberg. Wilmington was able to hurry down the field but a sack on 2nd and 10 set up a 3rd and long, and Ross could not convert. Marx attempted a 34-yard field goal, but his kick was no good.
Heidelberg took over at their own 20-yard line and was able to get two first downs and kneel out the clock, winning 34-31.
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What's Up Next
Wilmington returns home to celebrate Senior Day and hosts Capital University on Saturday, November 15th, at 1:30 P.M.
