2008 Denison Football Senior Class

On Senior Day at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium the Big Red defense answered the bell. 

Over the last three seasons the Kenyon Lords offense has averaged 40.3 ppg and 450 yards per contest against the Big Red.  While Denison did prevail in two of those three meetings, the defense took those gaudy numbers personal.  On Saturday, with the chances of their first winning season since 2004 hanging in the balance, they responded with a 21-7 victory over Kenyon College.

After a scoreless first quarter of play the Denison offense broke though with 4:49 left in the second quarter when Mike Barnes (Gates Mills, Ohio/Mayfield) found senior tight end Tyler Freriks (Norwalk, Ohio/Norwalk) wide open in the corner of the end zone from 8-yards out, capping off a 10-play 64-yard drive.  Kevin Schneider (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) added the extra point to make the game 7-0 in favor of the Big Red.

After the Lords were stalled on their ensuing drive, DU took over on their own 16-yard line with just over two minutes remaining before halftime.  After two consecutive runs by Nick Krempasky (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) had Denison in a third-and-one situation, the junior tailback zipped up the middle and then down the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown. It was a career long for Krempasky and the second longest play from scrimmage by a Denison player in 2008.

The Big Red would take a 14-0 lead into the locker room and after both teams opened the third quarter with turnovers on their respective opening possessions, the Lords struck back when the conference's rushing leader, Kyle Toot, reached pay dirt from 20-yards out cutting the lead to 14-7.

After the Kenyon touchdown, Barnes, Krempasky and the Big Red offense took the field and delivered another critical scoring drive.  This one covering 10-plays and 77 yards resulting in a 22 yard touchdown run by Barnes with 3:25 left in the third quarter lifting DU to a 21-7 lead.

With just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kenyon drove deep into Denison territory and were faced with a second and goal situation from the 3-yard line.  Quarterback Mike Hermanson attempted a pass to Harry von Kann but junior Drew Homyk (Chicago, Ill./St. Ignatius Prep), who was moved from his usual free safety position to cornerback, picked off his second pass of the day.  After downing the ball in the end zone and taking the touchback, the Big Red would put together an effective four minute drive that would be capped off with a Caleb McFerren (Zanesville, Ohio/Zanesville) punt, pinning the Lords on their own 12-yard line with just 3:50 to play.

Kenyon would run 13 plays covering just 45 yards, eventually turning the ball over on downs at the Denison 43-yard line where the Big Red would take a knee and run out the final 40 seconds to improve to 5-4 on the year.

Krempasky would finish with 17 carries for a career-high 156 yards and one touchdown.  Barnes was 9-for-15 in the passing department for 96 yards.  He also scored two touchdowns, with one coming through the air, the other on the ground.  His favorite target was senior Nick Thompson (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) who had three catches for 31 yards.

Hermanson led the Kenyon rushing attack with 101 yards off of 18 carries.  He was 20-for-37 passing for 171 yards but was intercepted three times.  Kenyon's leading receiver was von Kann who caught 10 passes for 124 yards.

The Denison defense got a pair of interceptions from Homyk and one pick by sophomore Nick Weiss (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson).  Seniors Bert Bathiany (Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands) and Jim Minor (Washington, Pa./Trinity) had 11 and 10 tackles, respectively to lead the Big Red.

Denison will close out the 2008 campaign next Saturday in Richmond, Ind. when they take on the 4-5 Earlham Quakers at 1 p.m.

* At halftime Denison University recognized the 17 senior members of the Denison football team.  The group, comprised of Nick Thompson, Peter Jarowey, Jordan Linck, Mike Barnes, Tim Dukovich, Bert Bathiany, Mike Trzaska, Jon Berg, Mike Brienzo, Jim Minor, Will Minor, Joe Ulrey, Josh Hamperian, Tyler Freriks, Jon McDermott, Andrew Murray and Brian Mason, has won 17 games since 2005.