OBERLIN, Ohio -- The Kenyon College Owls football team (3-2, 2-1 NCAC) dominated the Oberlin College Yeomen (0-5, 0-3 NCAC) with a final score of 34-0. The shutout marks the first time that Kenyon has held an opponent scoreless since the 2001 season, a 14-0 win over Hiram College. Today's victory also started a winning streak for the Owls, Kenyon's first since a similar two-game winning streak against North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) foes in 2021.

The Owls offense exploded behind the strong play of quarterback Park Penrod, the NCAC's reigning football offensive Athlete of the Week. The senior finished with 174 passing yards and one throwing touchdown to go along with 24 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Kenyon has scored 66 points over their last two games and has already matched their conference win total from last season.

In the first quarter, Penrod connected with sophomore Charlie Taylor on a 38-yard scoring strike just over five minutes into the game. Taylor finished the game with three catches and a season-high 70 receiving yards. The first touchdown play proved to be Penrod's longest of the day and set the stage for what would be a long afternoon for the winless Yeomen.

While Penrod managed the passing game effectively, it was the Owls' ground attack that truly wore down Oberlin's defense. Running back Drake Lewis had a standout performance, rushing for 116 yards on just 14 carries, an impressive 8.3 yards per attempt. Lewis found the end zone twice, including an explosive 46-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that put the game firmly out of reach.

Lewis, a senior, is putting together a great season as he has already rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns, to go along with 112 receiving yards. Penrod himself showed his dual-threat capabilities, contributing a two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Julius Thompson also added a rushing touchdown, the second of his career and his first this season. The junior's 13 carries were a career-high, and his 54 rushing yards marked his second-best output. 

While the offense put up impressive numbers, Kenyon's defense deserves equal praise for their suffocating performance. They completely stifled Oberlin's attack, pitching a shutout and limiting the home team's opportunities throughout the contest.

Luke Caress was a constant presence in Oberlin's backfield, racking up 3.5 tackles for loss totaling 19 yards, including two sacks for 14 yards. Caress's two sacks tied a career-high, matching the two quarterback takedowns the senior had against Oberlin last season. First-year Trey Blazevich also made his presence felt with six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack of his own. The defensive effort was led by junior Jared Hancock, who topped the team with eight total tackles (three solo, five assisted) and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The victory over Oberlin continues what has been a resurgent season for Kenyon football. After years of finishing near the bottom of the conference, the Owls now have the chance to put together a great season and the energy around the program is palpable.

Looking ahead, Kenyon faces a crucial stretch of games that will determine their fate in the conference race. Their next game is on the road against Hiram College (0-3, 0-1 NCAC) on October 12 at 1 p.m. Kenyon will be going for a third NCAC victory for the first time since 2021. The last time the program tallied four conference wins was in 2013, when Kenyon finished 4-5 in the league, and that season also saw Kenyon's most-recent three-game winning streak.

With a balanced offensive attack and a defense that is proving it can dominate games, the Owls have found their wings, and they are hoping to soar to new heights in 2024.