GAMBIER, Ohio – In their final home game of the season, the Kenyon College football team put together its most productive offensive outing of the year, but it wasn't enough to overcome the high-powered passing attack of Denison University (6-3, 5-2 NCAC). The Owls fell 33–18 on Senior Day at McBride Field, closing out their home slate and falling to 1-8 overall and 1-6 in NCAC play.
The visitors struck first, with quarterback Tyler Green leading a 64-yard opening drive capped by a three-yard touchdown pass to Jack Williams. After another lengthy series ended in a one-yard touchdown grab by Grayson Kerscher, Denison held a 12–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second frame, the Big Red extended their advantage as linebacker Rory Ralston scooped up a Kenyon fumble in the end zone for a defensive score. Moments later, Green found Kerscher deep for a 45-yard strike, putting Denison ahead 26–0. The Owls responded late in the half when junior
Aeneas Stailey orchestrated a six-play, 81-yard drive capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to junior
Charlie Taylor, his second touchdown of the season and Kenyon's first of the day. Denison, however, added a four-yard rushing touchdown from Green in the final minute to take a 33–6 lead into the break.
The Owls came out of halftime firing, as senior running back
Julius Thompson broke free for a dazzling 83-yard touchdown run, his longest of the season and a highlight of the afternoon. Kenyon's defense held Denison scoreless for the entire second half, forcing multiple punts and pressuring Green into hurried throws.
Late in the fourth quarter, senior
Jordon Benjamin followed suit, bursting through the middle for a 64-yard rushing touchdown that brought the score to 33–18. The two explosive runs underscored Kenyon's dominance on the ground, as the Owls finished with a game-high 171 rushing yards, compared to just 31 for Denison.
Thompson led all rushers with 101 yards and a score, while Benjamin added 77 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Stailey threw for 85 yards and a touchdown. First-year
Ryan Dean notched 57 passing yards and sophomore
Tyler Gladden notched 3 in the air on a trick play.
Defensively, first-year
Andrew Pohlman anchored the unit with 13 tackles, while junior
Michael Kerr,
Dominic Simpson, and sophomore
Andrew Cooney each tallied seven.
Up next, Kenyon will travel to Wittenberg University for its final game of the season on Saturday, November 15. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. in Springfield, Ohio.
