Otterbein (3-0, 2-0) @ Heidelberg (1-2, 0-2)

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Frost-Kalnow Stadium (6,500) - Tiffin, Ohio
Radio: WHEI 88.9 (Matt Karlovec - play-by-play, Brad Bowser - color)
WTTF AM 1600 (Jon Kerns - play-by-play, John Cullen - color)
 
Game Notes: Otterbein @ Heidelberg
Listen Live: WHEI 88.9
 
Top Story: The Heidelberg College football team will look to put a halt to a two-game slide on Saturday when it entertains Otterbein College in a 7:00 p.m. contest under the lights at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin. Saturday’s contest marks the lone evening game of the Berg, but is the third home contest in four games. A failed two-point conversion late in the game a week ago kept the Berg from extending the game and its chance at its first Ohio Athletic Conference victory on the year, falling 17-15 at John Carroll. Saturday marks two-straight at home for the Berg and they will look to snap the Cardinals three-game winning streak.
 
Quick Stat of the Afternoon: Not only is an Ohio Athletic Conference victory on the line for the Berg on Saturday, but a chance at regaining the Rhine River Cup is on the table. In 1992 Heidelberg and Otterbein played the first collegiate football game on German soil in Frankfort, Germany near the Rhine River. The game ended in a 7-7 tie, but the Berg and Cardinals have been playing for the Rhine River Cup ever since. The Cardinals own a 10-5-1 lead in the Rhine River Series, having won nine of the last 10 meetings.
 
Saturday’s Opponent: Heidelberg leads the overall series with Otterbein 42-25-4, which dates back to 1900. The Cardinals have won nine of the last 10 meetings and the Berg last topped Otterbein 33-14 on Nov. 2, 2002 at Frost-Kalnow Stadium. A year ago in Westerville Otterbein’s Jack Rafferty completed a four-yard pass to Ryan Bowley to put the Cardinals ahead 32-31. The two-point conversion pass by Rafferty to Scott DeLong was good, and Otterbein would take the lead with 27 seconds left by a score of 34-31. Heidelberg could not get within field goal range for an attempt to tie the game.
 
Key Component: In any football game a key component is the football, which needs to be handled with care in order to win. Heidelberg opened the year with a convincing 62-27 win over non-conference opponent Westminster, but unfortunately have stumbled in its last two outings, but it was not for lack of effort. In two gutsy performances Heidelberg gave it their all, but in the end a few mishandles of the ball cost points. Against Capital and John Carroll the Berg turned the ball over six times, including four times where returns were made into Heidelberg territory. In six miscues Heidelberg’s opponents have answered with a touchdown on three occasions. In the end the Berg fell to JCU by two points and six of the Blue Streaks points came off a fumble at John Carroll’s eight-yard line.
 
Climbing the Ladder: In three games on the year Heidelberg is continuing to climb the ladder to success. Thus far Heidelberg has amassed 1,145 yards of total offense, which tops its 796 through its first three outings a year ago. Included in the mix is 715 passing yards (529 in 2007) and 430 rushing yards (267 in 2007). Leading the quick start is sophomore quarterback Andrew Miller, which is assisted by depth in both the backfield and at wide receiver. Four different running backs have at least 13 carries, while Miller has connected with 11 different receivers, with seven having multiple receptions.
 
Start Me Up: One area of concern for Heidelberg entering the 2008 campaign was getting off to a better start. In 2007, the Berg was outscored, 81-54, in the first quarter. Through three games this season, the Berg defense has allowed just a field goal in the opening stanza, while the offense has put 20 points on the board. Meanwhile, late in ball games will be key for Heidelberg in 2008, as well, as the club was outscored, 88-71, in the fourth quarter last year. Unfortunately the tale of the tape is the same thus far as the Berg has been outscored 38-22 in the final stanza.
 
Don’t Forget About Me: Senior wide receiver Dawond Roddy has put up some big numbers in Heidelberg’s first three games of the 2008 campaign and has quickly become a favorite target of sophomore quarterback Andrew Miller, however sophomore wide receiver Mike Preston has proven to be a capable receiver, as well. On the season Preston has hauled in 10 passes for 221 yards, an average of 22.1 yards per catch that is tops on the club.
 
GRIEVE-ing Offense: Picking up where he left off a season ago has been junior defensive tackle Matt Grieves. Grieves moved to the inside in 2008 following two years at defensive end to serve as more of a presence in stopping the rushing game of opponents. In each of Heidelberg’s three games Grieves has led the team in tackles, having three double-digit tackle games. In two of the three outings Grieves left his opponents rushing game grieving. Against Westminster Grieves and the defense held the Titans to just 98 yards on the ground and at John Carroll the Blue Streaks were limited to 95 rushing yards. Overall Heidelberg has limited its opponents to less than 100 yards rushing on five occasions under the tutelage of Mike Hallett.