'Berg (1-2, 0-2) @ #13 Otterbein (3-0, 2-0)

Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Memorial Stadium (4,000) - Westerville, Ohio
Radio:  WHEI 88.9 FM (Matt Karlovec - play-by-play, Matt Cotman - color)
 
Game Notes: Heidelberg @ Otterbein
Listen Live: WHEI-88.9
 
Top Story: The Heidelberg University football team’s stay in Tiffin lasted a week, as they head to Westerville, Ohio in week five to take on the Cardinals of Otterbein College and vie to bring the Rhine River Cup to Tiffin. Heidelberg and Otterbein played the first collegiate game on German soil in 1992 and have been battling for the Rhine River Cup ever since. Saturday’s game marks the third away game for the Berg in its first four outings on the season. Heidelberg will look to rebound from a 30-27 setback to John Carroll University at Frost-Kalnow Stadium on Sept. 26. Following its game at Otterbein, the Berg closes out a two-game road trip at Ohio Northern University Oct. 10 before returning home to play four of its last five in Tiffin. The second half of Heidelberg’s schedule begins with two-straight at home beginning with Mount Union College Oct. 17.
 
Quick Stat of the Afternoon: One area of concern for Heidelberg through its first three games of the year has been its ability to score early. In three games, Heidelberg has been held scoreless in the first quarter. It is like history has repeated itself, in 2008 Heidelberg gave up 81 points in the first quarter, while scoring just 54 points of their own. However, its production picks up by the end of the contest; as the Berg has gone on to outscore its opponents in each of the final three quarters. Heidelberg holds a glaring advantage in the final 15 minutes of the game, having outscored its opponents 43-22. A season ago, Heidelberg proved that it can handle late in the game comebacks, as the Berg won three of its last four outings on their final drive of the game. 
 
Saturday’s Opponent: The all-time series between Heidelberg and Otterbein began in 1900, but was raised to a new height in 1992 when the two teams played the first collegiate football game on German soil. The Berg and Cardinals played for the Rhine River Cup in Germany and have been battling back and forth for the cup ever since. The Cardinals own an 11-5-1 lead in the Rhine River Series, having won nine of the last 10 meetings, including five-straight. Overall, Heidelberg leads the series, 42-26-4. The last time Heidelberg has topped the Cardinals was Nov. 2, 2002, 33-14. On Oct. 25, 1997, the Berg defeated Otterbein, 19-14, which marks the last time the Berg was victorious in Westerville.
 
SportsTime Ohio Airing: Saturday’s game was originally scheduled to be aired on tape delay on SportsTime Ohio, but will no longer be shown. Heidelberg will have its Oct. 24 Nov. 14 games aired as previously announced.
 
Last Time Around: A season ago, Heidelberg’s Adrian Balser returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown, but it was all Otterbein after that. The Cardinals went on to score 45-straight points before the Berg found the end zone in the third quarter to take the wind out of the Cardinals wings. Otterbein added another score as the third came to a close to push the final score to 52-14 in favor of the Cardinals. Heidelberg’s Andrew Miller threw for 190 yards, with 104 going to Dawond Roddy. On the opposite side of the field, Otterbein’s Colton Coy rushed for 101 yards to lead the way.
 
Powell Drive: Against John Carroll, Heidelberg had two scoring drives that resulted in Clifton Powell touchdowns. Powell’s five-yard TD reception in the third quarter marked his first collegiate score and for good measures he added a career-best 26-yard catch and a TD in the fourth quarter. Powell originally hails from Detroit, Mich. and is in his first season as a starter.
 
Stepping Up: Junior Mike Preston and sophomore Mitch White have made the most of their opportunities from the onset of the 2009 season. In their first seasons as the primary starters at wide receiver, both have eclipsed their marks from a year ago. Preston has 400 yards to his credit so far, which tops his 387 in 10 games as a sophomore. He has 17 catches, which is 10 shy of his count last year. White has already nearly tripled his reception count from a season ago. He has 10 this season compared to four last year in eight appearances. And his 224 yards thus far has emerged to the top of his season-best list as well.