GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College Lords' home-opening football game was spoiled by an Ohio Wesleyan University team that dominated the line of scrimmage Saturday and rolled to a 42-0 North Coast Athletic Conference victory.

The Battling Bishops' defensive line constantly pressured Kenyon quarterback Thomas Merkle, who was on the run for most of the game and was sacked seven times. Additionally, the Ohio Wesleyan line held the Kenyon rushing game to -13 yards on 31 carries.

On the offensive front, the Battling Bishops' line cleared the way for 416 yards of total offense, including 162 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Things didn't seem so one-sided early in the game, as both defenses were playing well. Ohio Wesleyan was forced to go three-and-out on its first two possessions before scoring on its third possession. The Battling Bishops started that drive at mid-field at ended it with a Trey Dixon one-yard touchdown run.

The score remained 7-0 for quite a while. It wasn't until the final two minutes of the second quarter that the Battling Bishops began to break away. With only 1:59 left on the clock, they scored on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Streb to Cody Brown. Merkle was intercepted on the Lords' ensuing drive and Ohio Wesleyan went 45 yards on four plays to make the score 21-0 at the half. That final first-half drive ended on a quarterback keeper, as Zane Ries dashed into the end zone from 13 yard out.

The Battling Bishops (2-0, 1-0 NCAC) scored again on their opening drive of the third quarter. This time it was Curtis Duren who ran one in from 23 yards away. When Kenyon got the ball back, Merkle was picked off again, this time Ian Riddle stepped in front of a pass and took it the other way for a 45-yard touchdown.

Before the third quarter came to an end, Carlos Cintron tacked on a 24-yard touchdown run, putting the Battling Bishops up 42-0.

Throughout the game, Kenyon (1-1, 0-1 NCAC) struggled to solve the Ohio Wesleyan defense. After racking up 28 first downs and 466 yards of offense in last week's win over Catholic, the Lords managed just 14 first downs and 154 yards of offense against the Battling Bishops.

Merkle was 16-of-37 for 132 yards and the two interceptions. Both Justin Bosch and Matt Jolliffe caught four balls. Bosch turned his receptions into 51 yards, while Jolliffe went for 23 yards.

On the ground Jimmy Andrews led the Lords, but he had a net of 19 yards on 15 carries.

Defensively, Kenyon got two sacks apiece from Jack Sherritt and Nathan Fanta. Jimi Bello also had a sack, while forcing an OWU fumble.

Kenyon remains at home for next weekend's game, which will be a noon start against the DePauw University Tigers (0-1).