The Wilmington College football team allowed nearly 500 yards of total offense as the Fightin' Quakers fell to Heidelberg, 53-10, in Ohio Athletic Conference action at Williams Stadium.
Heidelberg was just 4-of-11 on third down conversions, but their first two touchdown passes came on third down. The Student Princes also scored twice on fourth down in the game.
"Our thing was to make them earn yards," said Wilmington head coach Stacey Hairston. "We said we had to win first and second down, and get them into third down where they have to throw the ball. We made mistakes, and unfortunately, we made mistake on the down you can afford to make mistakes. The fact we got them in third down was a positive, so we have to be better in those situations."
Sophomore kicker Grant Brown (Stoutsville, OH/Stoutsville) got Wilmington on the board as time expired in the first half with a 21-yard field goal into the teeth of the wind.
The Fightin' Quakers scored their only touchdown of the day as receiver Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison) took a toss from junior Kyle Davis (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington), and then promptly down a streaking Tyrik Burns (Newport News, VA/Denbign) for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
"The biggest thing for us was there was no quit," said Hairston. "Heidelberg has their back-ups in the game, and our guys are still fighting. Our kept fighting, and that is the biggest positive."
Additionally, Wilmington moved into position to score three more times, but the drives were halted by two missed field goals and a fumble.
"To be able to move the ball against a quality team like Heidelberg, and that is something for us to build on," said Hairston. "We got ourselves in position to score, and that is a positive."
Freshman quarterback Blake Valenzuela (Keystone Heights, FL/Keystone Heights), in his first extended action, was 8-of-17 for 122 yards and an interception. Freshman quarterback Daniel Crusan (Miami, FL/Palmetto) made his first career start, and was 5-of-11 for 63 yards and one interception.
Burns finished with a career-high 95 yards on five receptions and a touchdown. Senior tight end Matt Stooksbury (Centerburg, OH/Highland) added four catches for 72 yards.
On the ground, sophomore Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County) led the team with 52 yards on 20 carries, while freshman Tahj Sho-Johnson (Princeton, WVa./Princeton) added 45 yards on just five carries.
Senior Eric Watts (Zanesville, OH/Zanesville) had seven tackles and a forced fumble, while junior Nick Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairview) recorded seven tackles, a forced fumble and an interception. Freshman Ryan Prince (Urbana, OH/Urbana) also tallied seven tackles for Wilmington. Freshman Darren Milligan (Franklin, OH/Carlisle) also had a forced fumble.
Wilmington (0-8 overall, 0-7 OAC) travels to Ohio Northern 1:30 p.m. Saturday.