Football

Football: Denison pleases Homecoming crowd in 42-13 win over Hiram

Nick Weiss had a 45-yard punt return for a TD in the second quarter and also added two tackles helping the Big Red to a 42-13 win over Hiram.

Date: October 20, 2007
Location: GRANVILLE

The Big Red went off for 28 points in the second quarter, battling back from a 7-0 first quarter deficit, to top Hiram College 42-13 on the annual homecoming game from Deeds Field-Piper Stadium in Granville, Ohio.

The victory is Denison's second of the season. In both wins, the Big Red's huge second quarter scoring has been the story. On Sept. 22 against Gallaudet DU popped off 28 points thanks to a couple of Dan Crawford (Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) touchdown runs and an 80-yard Mike Barnes (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Mayfield) run from scrimmage. Today it was the playmaking ability of Barnes and a little special teams boost that allowed the Big Red to enter the half with a 21-point lead.

Hiram opened the game with 9-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a Luke Lewis 7-yard TD run. All three of Denison's first quarter possessions would be stalled by the Terrier defense.

In the second quarter, the DU special teams led by punt returner Nick Weiss (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson), gave the offense excellent field possession after a 33-yard punt return to the Hiram 42-yardline.

After a Denison first down on 3rd and 3, Barnes found Peter Jarowey (Newton, Mass./South) in the right corner of the end zone, tying the game at 7-7.

After a three-and-out for Hiram, Barnes and sophomore running back Nick Krempasky (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) would march down the field for a 9-play, 60-yard drive that was capped off by a Krempasky 4-yard TD run.

Another three-and-out for Hiram forced them to punt and this time Weiss weaved his way through traffic for an electrifying 45-yard punt return touchdown.

With just 2:47 left in the half the Denison defense was primed to stop Hiram and get their offense back on the field for one last scoring chance. After allowing a first down of the first play from scrimmage, the defense allowed just two yards on the next two plays. DU took over on their own 34-yardline with 2:10 left.

Entering the game for the first time was sophomore quarterback Tom Simeone (Bethesda, Md./The PotomacSchool). With Barnes now split out at wide receiver, Simeone found him for a 20-yard gain and a 19-yard gain to get the ball out to the Hiram 27-yardline. Following a timeout, Jon Berg (Washington, Pa./Trinity) scampered 11 yards and then a Barnes pass to Jarowey got the ball to the 3-yard line with just 15 seconds remaining. On fourth and two, Barnes tucked and went off tackle to get the first down.Berg would cap off the scoring with a 1-yard TD rush seven seconds before the half to send DU into the locker room with a 28-7 lead.

Hiram opened the third quarter with an impressive drive that was capped off by a Trevor Henderson to Kyle Milano 24-yard TD pass that got Hiram within two scores at 28-13. Momentum continued to turn in favor of the Terriers after DU fumbled the ensuing kickoff allowing Hiram to take over at the Big Red 36-yardline. A 9-yard pass play and a personal foul on the Big Red gave Hiram a first and goal situation from the nine. After an end-around play by Steven Hammond was stopped by Weiss, Mike Higdon (Lexington, Ky./Lexington Catholic) would score back-to-back sacks, setting up a 4th and goal situation from the Denison 39, forcing a punt.

On the next drive Barnes would find tight end Jon McDermott (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) for a 32-yard gain and one play later he would go 32-yards again, this time to junior Nick Thompson (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) for the touchdown and a 22-point lead.

In the fourth quarter Dan Crawford would cap off a 11-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, setting the final at 42-13.

DU outgained Hiram 492-186.The defense held Hiram to just 52 yards rushing while the Denison offense was outstanding in third down situations, converting 9-of-13. Barnes was 14-for-20 in the passing department for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed six times for 33 yards and also caught three passes for 34 yards.In all, Barnes combined for 264 yards of total offense.

Ten Big Red receivers finished with at least one reception.Jarowey led the way with four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. Thompson caught three balls for 50 yards and one score.The Denison rushing attack was balanced. Five players gained at least 33 yards on the ground.Berg, Crawford and David Brade (Boston, Mass./Charleston) all carried the ball 10 times with Berg totaling 54 yards, Crawford 51 yards and Brade with 37 yards.

Denison was forced to punt only two times while Hiram punters Gary Sheplavy and Derek Rieg were busy, punting nine times for an average of 34.6 yards per kick.

On defense senior linebacker Ike Akusoba (Galena, Ohio/Big Walnut) led the team with seven tackles and one sack. Jason Wright (Granville, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) and Joe Ulrey (Marengo, Ohio/Highland) both had six stops.Hiram linebacker Tom Canitia led the Terriers with 11 tackles.

Denison improves to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. They will travel to nearby Gambier, Ohio next Saturday (Oct. 27) for a 1 p.m. kickoff with Kenyon College.

See the full game statistics