Denison University

Granville, Ohio - The Denison football team atoned for its Week 1 loss on Thursday night with a commanding victory, as the Big Red dominated Oberlin College from start to finish in a 50-0 shutout victory. Denison's win moves the team to 1-1 overall on the season, as they begin the NCAC slate 1-0.

Denison wasted no time striking on Thursday night, setting the tone for the night with an opening-drive touchdown in just over three minutes of game time. Blayton Reid capped the opening 65-yard drive with a scoring run of 13 yards from Blayton Reid. After a quick three-and-out, Reid found his way into the end zone once again, scampering in from 35 yards for a one-play scoring drive.

The Big Red continued the offensive attack with two more scoring drives, as Brian Rager took to the sky and hit Graham Tonkonogy and Grayson Kerscher for receiving scores. The duo of touchdown passes ended the first quarter with a 27-0 lead, with Denison commanding the box score with 201 yards to Oberlin's 13. Instead of the pass-first attack, the Big Red turned to a ground assault, churning 163 yards in the first quarter.

While the offense was clicking on all cylinders, the defense matched the output, forcing a fourth consecutive three and out to open the second quarter. Denison would turn the ensuing punt into point with a Sean Brechbill field goal, and after another stand by the defense, Rager and the offense executed a two-minute drill, as the junior quarterback darted across the line for a two-yard score. 

Denison would end the first half scoring on all six of its possessions, taking a 37-0 lead at the intermission after the 78-yard touchdown drive to end the first half. 

The third quarter looked much like the first for Big Red, as the defense forced a quick three-and-out after a Rory Ralston sack on third down killed the drive, and the offense immediately turned the ensuing punt into points. Brian Rager's final drive of the game ended with another touchdown for the Denison offense, as he engineered a 37-yard series with his second touchdown pass to Grayson Kerscher of the night.

The defense continued to play stoutly as the game, ending Oberlin's lone drive that reached the low red zone with a fumble on a strip-sack by Rory Ralston, with the junior recovering the loose ball for a Big Red takeaway.

The third quarter takeaway was the final play for the starting unit on both sides of the ball, as Denison rotated the reserve units over the course of the game's final 20 minutes. Samson Schneider led the offense for a score in his first Denison appearance, as the backup quarterback connected with Liam McBride for a fourth quarter touchdown, and Beckett Boos made a highlight defensively as the first-year player logged an interception. 

Oberlin would threaten one final time as the Yeomen crossed the midfield stripe on its final drive, but a fourth down sack by Kelty Connors would end the final threat, turning the ball over on downs once again to seal the shutout. 

Denison limited Oberlin to 173 yards in the win, while putting up a commanding 439 yards of offense on Thursday night. The team forced seven three-and-outs, two takeaways, and one turnover on downs while sacking the Yeomen four times in the win. 

Brian Rager had a strong night in limited play, accounting for four total touchdowns, including his first three career touchdown passes. The quarterback finished the game passing for 124 yards and running for another 59. Blayton Reid led the team in rushing with 85 yards on seven carries and two scores, and Kade Koroneos rushed for 77 yards in the win. Grayson Kerscher led the pass catchers with six snags and 44 yards, scoring twice, while Liam McBride had 26 yards on three catches with his score. Graham Tonkonogy had 19 yards to go with his first collegiate touchdown catch.

Defensively, Blake Wessel and Rory Ralston both made plays, with each player forcing a fumble and leading the Big Red with four tackles each. Ralston had two of the team's four sacks, while Ben Perin had one on his three tackle night, and Kelty Connors had the other on his first collegiate tackle. 

UP Next: Denison will use the extra three days of preparation to get set for its first road game of the season, as they travel to The College of Wooster next Saturday, September 19. Kickoff will be at 2:00 p.m. in Wooster, Ohio.