ADA, Ohio -- With a plot line Hollywood would salivate over, Bendo Bowl XI had everything.  

There was the first half loaded with miscues that resulted in a 20-point halftime deficit.  

There were the early inklings of a second half comeback, spurred on by the team's biggest personalities -- big holes for tailback Montavious Yearby, big plays on defense to keep the Polar Bears at bay.

There was the fourth-quarter interception by Damontae Richmond, a senior, who so desperately wanted to pick off at least one pass in his career.  

There was the nothing-can-stop-me power touchdown from Jace Grossman (on 4th-and-1, naturally) that gave Heidelberg a late lead.  

Then there was the sizable ONU kickoff return that foretold impending doom.  There was the heartbreaking touchdown that put the Polar Bears on top with 45 seconds to play.  

Then, as the imaginary soundtrack intensified, there was a big completion to Brandon Reed, who caught the ball and got out of bounds at the 35 with 15 seconds left.  

And then there was Maceo Matthews Jr., a senior, leaping over a defender in the left corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown reception.  It might as well have been in slow motion. 

The visiting team and their fans erupted with joy.  James Sweat even ran down the field with his arms swinging like a child mimicking an airplane.  

And while the movie would have faded into the closing credits after Maceo's touchdown, the Heidelberg University football team still needed to drain eight seconds of clock.  They did, and celebrated their eighth win of the season -- a 33-32 triumph.  

"It was insane," said Head Coach Scott Donaldson, whose team was coming off an emotional overtime win a week ago over nationally-ranked John Carroll.  "I am so proud of this team's resiliency and their determination to fight for 60 minutes.  Our seniors stepped up to make huge plays, and our underclassmen were determined to send this group out with a win."

Yearby rushed 27 times for 148 yards and a touchdown.  Quarterback Drew Sims was 19-of-32 for 237 yards and three touchdowns.  Matthews had three receptions for 77 yards including a pair of 35-yard touchdowns.  

The defense forced four turnovers -- interceptions by Richmond, Griffin Pendry and Isaiah Kammer and a fumble recovery by Easton St. Clair.  

Down 6-0 following a sliding catch for a 17-yard touchdown by Grossman in the first, ONU scored 26 straight points.  The most deflating was a 7-yard pass from Brody Hahn to Noah Miller with 0:07 before halftime.  It could have been worse, as Pendry's interception came in the end zone, a sensational grab that thwarted yet another promising ONU drive in the second quarter.  

Kammer's interception, perhaps, was the catalyst.  On the opening drive of the third quarter, the lineman made a one-handed grab on a deflected underhand pass.  HU cashed in 10 plays later.  Yearby avoided a defender in the backfield, then sprinted straight ahead for a 12-yard touchdown rush.  Branden Steckel added the extra point.  

Down 26-13 in the fourth, Sims dropped the ball over the shoulder of Matthews down the left sideline.  The 35-yard touchdown and the Steckel PAT made it 26-20 with 13:29 to play.  

After the teams traded punts, it was Richmond's time to shine.  Hahn stepped up into the pocket where he tried to throw as he was hit by Kammer.  The ball found its way into the waiting arms of Richmond, who was tackled at the ONU 42.  

It took 12 plays for Heidelberg to traverse those 42 yards, including two critical 3rd-down conversions.  The Student Princes brought in Grossman in the red zone -- opting to flex its muscle.  Grossman had five straight carries, getting the ball down to the one.  After a surprise QB sneak by Sims that went for no gain, Grossman plowed into the end zone on fourth down.  He dove through a hole on the right side that was sealed by linemen Bobby Logan and Kevin Robinson.  Heidelberg had climbed all the way back and led 27-26 with 97 seconds left.  

ONU's Austin Eick -- who entered as the OAC's leading receiver, but was held to 25 yards through the air -- returned the ensuing kickoff out to the ONU 40.  Hahn led the Polar Bears into the end zone in five plays, four completions, including a tiptoe grab by Jette Morgan for a 14-yard go-ahead touchdown.  

Reed returned the next kickoff to the Berg 39, but Sims was sacked on the first play.  After a timeout, Sims hit Yearby for a modest eight-yard pick up.  That's when Sims connected with Reed along the sideline to set up the winner to Matthews. 

Rather than risking a defensive two-point conversion, HU elected to kneel on the point after.  An incompletion and failed attempt at a lateral closed the game.  

Heidelberg improved to 9-2 in the Bendo Bowl series, created in honor of the late Ronnie and Jason Bendekovic.  Jason was an assistant at Heidelberg at the time of his passing in 2010.  

"I love this team," said Donaldson, who coached alongside Jason. "Bendo would have loved coaching these guys."  

Heidelberg holds a very remote chance of earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.  The selection show will be shown on NCAA.com on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.