GAMBIER, Ohio - The Kenyon College football team hosted Wabash College for a North Coast Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at McBride Field. Despite a pair of strong scoring drives, the Owls fell 46-12 to the visiting Little Giants. The result moved Kenyon to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play, while Wabash moved to 6-1 (4-1 NCAC).
 
The Little Giants took control from the get go, scoring on their opening drive as quarterback Brand Campbell connected with Luke Adams for a 34-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. Kenyon responded immediately on its first offensive possession. First-year Drew Morgan led the Owls on a 6-play drive, highlighted by a 14-yard touchdown from Sophomore Tyler Gladden, making the score 7-6 early on.
 
Wabash answered quickly with another scoring drive, capped by a five-yard rushing touchdown from Campbell to extend the lead to 14-6. On their next possession, Campbell struck again, this time breaking free for a 21-yard touchdown run that made it 21-6 late in the first quarter.
 
The Little Giants' defense then took control, forcing a safety late in the quarter after pinning Kenyon deep in its own territory. Early in the second quarter, a high snap out of the end zone gave the visitors another safety, pushing the margin to 25-6 at halftime. In the third quarter, Wabash's special teams unit extended the lead as Samuel Poriah returned a punt 22 yards for a touchdown.
 
Kenyon responded on its next drive when first-year Ryan Dean connected with fellow first-year Damian Snell for a one-yard touchdown, capping a five-play, 18-yard drive and trimming the deficit to 32-12.
 
Wabash closed out the game with a last minute 32-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and one in the fourth, making the final score 46-12.
 
Morgan and Dean split time under center, combining for 87 passing yards and two touchdowns. Gladden led the receivers with two catches for 22 yards and one touchdown, while Snell added his first collegiate touchdown. On the ground, senior back Jordan Benjamin rushed for 76 yards on 13 carries.
 
Defensively, junior Jackson Belyn recorded a team-high seven tackles, while junior Dominic Simpson added six to the chart. Senior Jared Hancock was the main man in the trenches, accumulating two sacks for the Owls. Matthew Ehrenreich, Alex Knight and Simpson each contributed with one of their own.
 
Kenyon will look to regroup next weekend as they host Ohio Wesleyan University for another NCAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. 
  Read Full Article