TIFFIN — Wilmington College dropped a 49-20 decision to Heidelberg in Ohio Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers are now 0-7 in the OAC, 0-8 overall. Heidelberg improves to 5-2 in the conference, 6-2 for the season.

"The emphasis this week was to gain some self-respect back after last week's loss, and I think we did that," Wilmington head coach Ken Minor said. "We came out and competed and were in the ballgame for the first half."

The first half was a shootout that started with a defensive bang. On the Berg's game-opening possession, junior linebacker Ben Dunahue (Kenton) sacked HU quarterback Michael Mees, who fumbled the ball into the waiting arms of Aaron Day (Cincinnati/Walnut Hills).

After a Wilmington 3-and-out, Heidelberg went 87 yards on eight plays to take a 7-0 lead.

The Quakers responded with a 69-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 21-yard pass from Brandon Arehart (Wilmington) to Kyle Akers (Sabina/East Clinton) to the Heidelberg 4-yard line. Tyrell Richardson (Columbus/Centennial) scored on the next play, and Max Gabbard (Waynesville) tied the game with the PAT.

Both teams scored on their next possessions — the Berg went 69 yards in 10 plays and Arehart lit up the Heidelberg defense with mid-range passes, including a 22-yard scoring strike to Akers that knotted the score at 14 at 11:57 of the second quarter.

Heidelberg scored twice in the second quarter, including a back-breaking touchdown with 5 seconds to play in the half to go up, 28-14.

"That last touchdown really hurt. I think it kind of put a little doubt in our heads," Minor said. "It also gave Heidelberg a little motivation coming out for the second half."

The Berg extended its lead to 49-20 with three unanswered touchdowns to open the second half.

Wilmington put the game's final points on the board when Arehart hit Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington) for a 66-yard catch and run at 6:43 of the fourth quarter.

For the game, Arehart completed 13 of 20 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Heard caught three passes for 100 yards and a score while Akers pulled down five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

"Kyle had a really good game," Minor said. "He came into his own today, and Malcolm's catch and run was a beautiful play. He is a special athlete."

Richardson gained career-high 82 yards on 29 carries.

"Our game plan was to run the ball a little bit more and establish that tough mentality," Minor said. "Because of that, I think we were able to also open up our passing game. Tyrell ran the ball really hard and our offensive line blocked well."

Freshman safety Devon Burton (Waynesville) continued his solid play with career-high 16 tackles, including a quarterback sack and three stops for loss.

Jamar Roberts (Springfield) contributed 10 stops.

The Quakers will return to Williams Stadium for the season's home finale' when Ohio Northern visits for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff Nov. 2. The Polar Bears out-slugged Marietta, 56-35, Saturday.