TIFFIN – The emerging Heidelberg University Marching Band provided fireworks (literally) in the pregame and halftime festivities.  Not to be outdone, the Heidelberg football team provided the explosions (figuratively) during the game.    

In the first night game ever played on campus, the Heidelberg University football team defeated Ohio Northern University, 45-14. The win gave head coach Scott Donaldson his first victory as a head coach.  

HU evens its record at 1-1 (1-0 OAC) while ONU falls to 0-2 (0-1 OAC). The Berg improves to 5-1 in the Bendo Bowl, which is played in remembrance of Jason and Ron Bendekovic who were coaches for Heidelberg and Ohio Northern.

KEY STATS

Tyler Stoyle was a sharp 30-47 for 268 yards. He threw for five touchdowns and one interception. He set a tied his career high with his 30 completions.

Nick DeLisa led all receivers with seven receptions good for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Trevor Summers anchored the defense with nine tackles while Jarett Wasson added eight. Austin Crow chipped in with seven tackles. Five were tackles for loss and he amassed two sacks -- both were career highs.

FIRST QUARTER

After Heidelberg chose to defer, the Polar Bears took their opening drive 75 yards. The HU defense came up big with a red zone stop, setting up a 22-yard field goal attempt. Mario Petit-Frere got a hand on the kick for the block, leaving ONU to come up empty on their opening drive.

Aided by a late hit penalty, the Berg gained momentum and scored on their first drive of the evening. Facing a 3rd and five, Stoyle found Nick DeLisa who made a tremendous catch getting his toes in bounds for the first down. Following a 3-yard run, Senior Bryan Lacey exploded through the ONU defense for an 18-yard gain. Three plays later, Stoyle connected with Cameron Vocke for a 5-yard touchdown pass. AJ Morrison's PAT gave the Berg a 7-0 lead.

SECOND QUARTER

HU escaped unscathed after fumbling at their own 20 yard line. The snap was mishandled by the Polar Bears on a field goal attempt, turning the ball over on downs.

The Berg capitalized on their next possession when Stoyle found Demetrius Magee for a 33-yard touchdown completion. Magee caught the ball at the ONU 5 yard line, bounced off a defender and into the end zone. The PAT snap was bobbled, giving HU a 13-0 advantage.

ONU's following possession ended in a safety. A high snap went through the hands of the Polar Bear quarterback, where the team was forced to push the ball out of their own end zone -- pushing the HU lead to 15-0.  It was Heidelberg's first safety since a 73-17 win over Capital in 2013.  

With under a minute until halftime, Stoyle found DeLisa for a 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The score gave the Tricolor a 22-0 lead at the half.

THIRD QUARTER

On the first drive of the second half, the Berg added to their lead. Morrison's 39-yard field goal sailed through the uprights, moving their lead to 25-0.

Ohio Northern fumbled the kickoff inside the Heidelberg 20, and the HU offense went back to work. On a 3rd and 10, Tony Morris made a leaping grab in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Stoyle. Morrison followed with a successful PAT as the Berg led 32-0.

The Polar Bears got on the board on the ensuing drive. On the first play, Will Freed found Christiaan Williams for a 64 yard catch-and-run, before being tackled at the Heidelberg 8 yard line. Chad Rex jumped over a line of defenders for a 1-yard rushing touchdown on a 3rd and goal.

Freshman Branden Short tacked onto the Heidelberg lead with a 54-yard touchdown run. Short ran right through the middle, split the defense, and broke free for the score. It remained 38-7 in favor of HU as Morrison's PAT fell short.

FOURTH QUARTER

On the first play of the quarter, DeLisa made a diving 9-yard touchdown grab. It was his second touchdown of the night. Morrison's PAT made it 45-7 Tricolor lead.

A Polar Bear interception and a facemask penalty gave them field position at the Heidelberg 9 yard line. On the next play, Freed found Rex for a touchdown, still trailing the Berg 45-14.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

This was the fourth time in Stoyle's career he threw for five touchdowns. The other three came last season against Otterbein, Marietta, and Wilmington last season.

Dom Scott and Justin Hutchins had five tackles apiece setting new career highs.

The win was the first time Heidelberg opened OAC play with a victory since 2013, where they defeated ONU 55-27.

NOTABLE QUOTES

Head coach Scott Donaldson on the win: "I can't tell you what a team effort this was … It was unbelievable … When you put in the work and you work together as a family you can beat anybody and they proved it tonight against a great football team."

Donaldson on Stoyle: "Stoyle was unbelievable … He never made a bad decision … He got the ball into the playmakers' hands and as a quarterback that's all you can ask for."

Stoyle on the win: "Our offensive and defensive lines had a great night … it's a huge momentum builder heading into John Carroll next week."

UP NEXT

The Berg will travel to John Carroll University for their first road game of 2016 on September 24th. The Blue Streaks (1-1, 1-0 OAC) knocked off rival Baldwin Wallace on Saturday. Kickoff in University Heights is slated for 1:30 p.m.