Oberlin, Ohio – Last year fireworks flew after the homecoming game.
This year they flew during the game as the Oberlin College football team set a new single-game school record with 690 yards of offense en route to earning a commanding 48-9 win over the visiting Allegheny College Gators on Saturday afternoon.
Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali became the first Yeoman in school history to throw for over 500 yards with a school-record total of 506 as he completed 27-of-38 attempts to go along with four TD passes. His performance bested that of Josh Mandel who threw for 454 yards a tight 24-21 loss to Washington University (St. Louis) on October 22, 2011. It was also just one yard shy of the NCAC record, which is held by Justin Rummell of Earlham College as he threw for 507 yards vs. Manchester on September 9, 2006.
Poggiali's top target was freshman Robby Reinheimer as he hauled in eight balls for 228 yards, which included a 70-yard touchdown. His performance ranks third on the all-time list as he surpassed Robin Witjes' 222-yard effort against Denison in 2012. The rookie's total only trails that of teammate Justin Cruz, who set the all-time mark last year against Allegheny with 242 yards, and that of Ricky Valenzuela who registered 239 receiving yards against Wabash in 2001.
The Yeomen defense also performed in a big way, making 11 tackles-for-loss and four sacks in the win. C.J. Ihle made three stops behind the line of scrimmage for 17 yards.
The win moved Oberlin's record to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the NCAC. It is the first time since 2011 the Yeomen have been 2-3 after the first five weeks of the season.
Oberlin scored touchdowns on its first three drives of the game and never looked back, controlling play from start to finish. Blake Buckhannon, who gained 65 yards on 22 rushes, cashed in the first Yeomen score as he ran in off-tackle to cap an 8-play, 75-yard drive. He would later add his second TD late in the second quarter, breaking through multiple tackles to finish off a 5-play, 49-yard drive to give the Yeomen a 30-2 lead at the intermission.
However, in the first quarter it was sophomore Corey Fussinger who was left alone for a 30-yard score, before Poggiali and Reinheimer hooked up for the long-range scoring strike to make it a 24-0 Yeomen advantage.
Oberlin marched 77 yards on 10-plays on its first drive of the second half as Poggiali connected with Jabari Clemons for a touchdown for the third time in the last two weeks – this one coming from 13 yards away. The freshman standout finished with 66 yards on five catches.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Yeomen dialed up a tight-end screen for Thomas Firl, who dodged through a few tackles to make his way into the endzone on a 15-yard scamper. The score capped a 6-play, 87-yard jaunt and marked the first of his career.
Following the Gators' lone touchdown of the game on a 67-yard pass play to Tyler Smith from Logan Lee, the Yeomen offense went right back to work.
It would be more 'firsts' that would ultimately complete the scoring as back-up quarterback Chris Herman found sophomore Jackson Moore for an 18-yard TD with 2:36 left in the game. It was the first-career touchdown for both players.
The Yeomen racked up 32 first downs, compared to the Gators' seven as Allegheny finished with 202 yards of offense. Bennett Jackson led the Yeomen with eight tackles (all solo), while Tim Kondo also made seven solo stops, including two TFL's. Gabe Edwards also came away with his second INT of the season.
Oberlin will have a much tougher test next week when No. 8 Wabash comes to town for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Oberlin Rewrites The Record Book in a Homecoming Win
/seasons/2015/boxscores/20151003_043q.xml
2015
Allegheny
9
Oberlin
48
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny (0-5) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 |
| Oberlin (2-3) | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 48 |
Oct 03, 2015