HIRAM, Ohio - October 12, 2019 – Hiram Terriers football got off to a hot start, scoring on their opening drive for the first time this season, but fell to the DePauw University Tigers, 21-7 on Saturday at Charles A. Henry Field in their Breast Cancer Awareness game.
After DePauw won the toss and elected to defer, the Terriers marched 75-yards in nine plays to take an early lead. On the first play from scrimmage, Xavier Reyero, in his first start at quarterback, connected with Myles Hymes for 42 yards to jumpstart the Terriers' opening drive.
Three plays later, Reyero found Cole Carter for eight yards to convert on fourth-and-four from the DePauw 27, putting Hiram in the red zone.
Another catch by Carter and a four-yard run by Jacquarius Waller brought up fourth-and-one, but Waller found a hole and scampered into the end zone from 10-yards out to give the Terriers a 6-0 lead. And Bailey McDermott would convert the extra point to make it a 7-0 lead.
DePauw responded with the makings of a touchdown drive of their own, driving down to the Hiram 9 to setup first-and-goal. But the Terriers' defense stuffed the Tigers three times before tackling Noah Jones for a loss of two on fourth-and-goal for a turnover on downs.
After Reyero and the Terriers' offense punted, DePauw again drove into the red zone looking to score. But once again, the Terriers defense stood strong, taking advantage of a fumbled snap to force a 33-yard field goal, which Jack Drake missed wide right.
The Terriers took over and went three-and-out, and again DePauw drove into the red zone. But once again, Hiram's defense was up to the task, as Tyler Swearingen intercepted Chase Andries in the end zone, once again preventing the Tigers from getting on the scoreboard.
After another three-and-out though, DePauw found pay dirt, as Adries connected with Blake Podschlne from 13-yards out to knot the score at 7-all.
Both teams then tried to put together scoring drives before the end of the half, but DePauw's sputtered around midfield, while Reyero drove the Terriers to just outside the red zone but was picked off and the two sides headed into the locker room tied at seven.
DePauw got the ball to start the second half, and aided by a roughing the passer penalty, took a 14-7 lead. Noah Jones' four-yard touchdown rush finished a seven-play, 66-yard drive for the Tigers to give DePauw the lead.
And after a trio of punts, DePauw extended their lead as Andries connected with Podschlne again, this time for 40 yards and a score to extend the lead to 21-7.
Hiram answered with a seven-play, 51-yard drive, but Waller was stuffed of fourth down from just inside the red zone, giving the ball right back to DePauw.
After another stop by the Hiram defense just outside field goal range, Reyero again led the Terriers down into DePauw territory, but on third-and-18, Brody Gude intercepted Reyero's pass, giving the ball back to the Tigers.
Hiram's defense forced yet another stop, and a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties gave Hiram good field position at their own 33. But the Terriers' drive stalled at the DePauw 36, just outside field goal range.
Another defensive stop gave Hiram one more chance, but Reyero's fourth-down pass intended for Carter fell incomplete, and the Tigers finished off the 21-7 victory with a pair of kneel downs.
Offensively, Hiram tallied 310 total yards, including a season-high 254 through the air. Reyero completed 17-of-44 for 200 yards and two interceptions, while Waller led the Terriers on the ground, rushing for 26 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Hymes led the Terriers with six receptions for a season-high 111 yards, while Jaris Foreman added five catches for 49 yards.
Defensively, Delanoe Harris led Hiram with 17 tackles, while Horace Johnson put together a stellar, all-around performance with 14 tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss and a pass breakup. Glenn Rushing also added double-digit tackles, recording 12, as well as a pass breakup.
Brandon Turner notched the Terriers' two quarterback hits, while Swearingen forced the lone DePauw turnover of the day with his first interception of the season.
The Terriers will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they visit Oberlin, Ohio to take on the Oberlin College Yeomen at 1 p.m.
