Ada, Ohio – November 13, 2010 – Another year has closed in the history of Heidelberg University football. The 2010 season concludes at 5-5 overall which marks the best season since 1997 when the Berg posted an identical mark. Heidelberg officially closed the year with a 35-14 setback at no. 10 ranked Ohio Northern University. Aside from its .500 overall record, Heidelberg posted a 4-5 record against Ohio Athletic Conference foes, while the Polar Bears conclude the regular season at 9-1, 8-1.
On the fifth play of the game, the Berg found the end zone in unique fashion. Andrew Miller (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton) rolled out of the pocket to hand off the ball to wide receiver Mike Preston (Euclid, Ohio / Euclid). Preston turned to his right and launched the ball into the arms of fellow receiver Josh Lynch (Dayton, Ohio / Meadowdale) who was streaking down the sideline and rumbled across the goal line for a 41-yard score. Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County) completed the scoring drive with the point after.
ONU was held to a three-and out before the Berg could not convert on a fourth down in Ohio Northern territory. The Polar Bears went on to score on its next two possessions to take a 14-7 lead.
Heidelberg and ONU battled back and forth until the Berg converted a fourth down late in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14. It was the third fourth down that the Berg has gone for on the day and the third time was the charm. Senior fullback Chance Ferrell (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) came out of the backfield and caught a pass and went 38 yards up the right sideline for a score. Hawkins connected on the PAT.
The Berg defense came up with a stop on fourth and goal for ONU on the 10-yard line with less than a minute to play in the first half to keep the score tied at the intermission.
In the second half the Berg offense could not get going, which resulted in a scoreless half. ONU scored on its first two trips down the field to take over the scoreboard at 28-14. The Polar Bears added another score in the final quarter to push the final score to 35-14.
For the game, Heidelberg finished with 446 yards of total offense compared to 505 by the Polar Bears. On the ground the Berg had 186 yards and 260 through the air.
Leading the way on the day was Germany Woods (Cleveland, Ohio / St. Edwards) with 115 yards in 21 carries. Woods closed out the year eclipsing 100 yards in each of the final four games. For the season, Woods, who was just in his first year, rushed for over 1,000 yards, marking the first to do so since 2002. Four weeks ago Woods broke the 100-yard mark for the first time en route to tying the single game record of four rushing touchdowns.
In the air, Miller completed 16-of-32 passes for 219 yards and one TD. His leading receiver was Preston with 82 yards in six receptions. Ferrell finished with 69 yards and one TD off of four catches.
Preston will graduate as the all-time career leader in receiving yards (2,748) and career touchdowns (28). This season he had 15 receiving touchdowns which set a new single season record. Joining Preston in the record book this season was Miller. He concludes his career as the career leader in passing touchdowns (68) and he set a new single season passing record for the third year in a row. In 2010 Miller threw for 27 scores, topping his mark of 22 from a season ago. Miller also set a handful of Heidelberg and OAC single game records against Capital in October.
Hawkins finished the game 2-for-2 in point afters. He leaves the Berg with the career record for made PAT’s (119) and tied the career made field goal record (28).
Senior Vaughn Klein (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) led the defense with a game-high 11 tackles. He had three stops for a loss of 12 yards and one sack for seven yards. Justin Stewart (Maplewood, Ohio / Sidney) backed Klein with six tackles and a pass break up.