HIRAM, Ohio - August 31, 2023 - Hiram had big moments on both sides of the ball on Thursday evening at Henry Field, playing with high energy in front of a roaring home crowd in Hiram, Ohio.

QB Jaden Jennings had a 1-yard touchdown run and LB Gavin Cruser recorded his first career pick-six as part of a 68-14 loss to Heidelberg. RB Montavious Yearby tied the Heidelberg program record with five touchdowns scored in the game, while QB Drew Sims had 314 passing yards and a pair of TDs through the air.

The Terriers built momentum early, with Tonvanta Revis intercepting a Sims pass early in the first quarter to give Hiram a chance to find its way out of a 6-0 hole. Heidelberg's defense would answer with an interception of its own and eventually scored to take a 13-0 lead.

Hiram pieced together its first scoring drive of the game thanks to four completions from Sean Tejeda, all of which went to different receivers. Included on the drive was a 19-yard pass to Raequan Davis-Hereford and 10-yard pass to Trystan Mollohan. 

Capping off the drive was Jennings, who entered the game at quarterback with just one yard separating the team from its first touchdown of 2023. Jennings found his way through the opposing defense to bring the score to 20-7 – which also was the first touchdown in Jennings' Hiram career.

Cruser highlighted the second half for the Terriers, picking off a Sims pass and returning it 19 yards to the end zone to give Hiram its first defensive touchdown since 2021 (Terry Allison fumble return touchdown at Wittenberg). The home crowd erupted once again, with Hiram continuing to make plays against a team that went 7-3 in a talented OAC just one year ago.

The game also marked Hiram's fourth contest since the start of last season with multiple interceptions, including their second straight dating back to the 2022 season finale against Ohio Wesleyan.

The team will get an extended break before returning to action on Saturday, September 9 at Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. at Schueler Field.