HIRAM, Ohio - October 12, 2024 - The Hiram defense continued to shine on a fall day under the Hiram sun on Saturday afternoon, as senior Malakai Nation recorded his first career touchdown on a 35-yard interception return in a 27-7 loss to Kenyon at Henry Field.

It marked the second defensive touchdown of the season for the Terriers and the first pick-six by the team since Gavin Cruser did so in 2013 Week 1 against Heidelberg.

The turning point in the game was toward the end of the first quarter, when Kenyon QB Park Penrod extended the ball across the goal line on a 4th-and-1 play before fumbling the ball into the arms of a Hiram defender. The play was ultimately ruled a touchdown rather than a fumble recovery, giving the Owls a 14-7 lead and eventually the 20-point victory.

Hiram would get a fumble recovery by Jonathan McKean and a blocked field goal by Devyn Mercilliott in the second quarter, but the halftime score stood at 14-7.

Mercilliott, who had a game-high 13 tackles, returned to the stat sheet with a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the Owls' first drive of the third quarter. The Kenyon defense, however, would hold strong throughout the second half and win the game thanks to its 80% red-zone efficiency (4-of-5).

Dylan Hargas led the Hiram offense with two receptions for 52 yards.

The Terriers will look to get in the win column when they travel to Crawfordsville, IN next Saturday for a conference game against Wabash at 1 p.m.