TIFFIN, Ohio -- Halley's Comet appears once every 76 years … and
Korbyn Haley has appeared once against the Capital Comets. And today, the Coshocton native did something never before seen in the 173-year history of Heidelberg University.
The Heidelberg Football team closed out the 2023 campaign with a 31-17 win over Capital University on Senior Day. In the process,
Korbyn Haley set a school record and tied an NCAA Division III record with two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Prior to the game, Heidelberg honored 25 members of the team and four cheerleaders for their contributions to the team over the past four years.
After both teams went three-and-out twice to start the game, Heidelberg got things going on their third series of the game.
Montavious Yearby started the series with a nice 11-yard dash to set up HU at midfield. Two plays later,
Lance Rickle found senior
Oliver Kelleher in the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown pass to take the 7-0 lead.
The Comets responded on the ensuing possession as a 48-yard pass and catch led to a quarterback keeper by Ben Everson, who scampered into the endzone for a touchdown with 4:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Korbyn Haley halted any Comets momentum, returning the ensuing kickoff for 87 yards for a Heidelberg touchdown to make the score 14-7 after one quarter of action.
Heidelberg's defense made their mark as Capital would get into the red zone early in the second quarter, but were unable to capitalize following a failed 4th-and-5 pass from Everson.
Defensive back
Joseph Norris III had a nice pass deflection on another Capital fourth down to give HU the ball with 5:45 left in the first half of play.
Trying to get points before the half, Rickel forced a pass that resulted in a Comet interception from Bryson Roberts, setting Capital up with good field position.
The Heidelberg defense came through yet again forcing an Everson interception with
Key Cunningham grabbing his season-high sixth. The Berg would go into the half with a 14-7 lead.
Capital started the half with the ball, and was able to get into Heidelberg territory. Another Everson interception, this time by a leaping
Carson Lehrer, stalled any hope for the visitors.
Branden Steckel added a 43-yard field goal midway through the third, stretching the HU lead to 17-7.
After forcing another Capital three-and-out, Heidelberg was driving into Comet territory when Rickel threw his second interception of the day. Roberts picked off Rickel for the second time, setting up the visitors on their own side of the field.
Yearby scored his final 'Berg touchdown on a 4th-and-1 play early in the fourth. The score and Steckel's PAT put HU ahead 24-7. It capped a 13-play, 68-yard drive.
The Comets scored on their next drive when Everson connected on a 23-yard pass to Nate Younker.
As he did in the second quarter, Haley sprinted through the heart of the Capital kick coverage for an 89-yard touchdown.
A 25-yard field goal by Capital closed the scoring.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Yearby finished with 119 yards and a touchdown -- his 21st 100+ yard game of his career … Rickle was 11-for-23 for 160 yards, with two picks and a touchdown … Haley racked up 176 yards on two kick return touchdowns … The 'Berg defense ended the game with three interceptions, including the sixth for
Key Cunningham and fourth for
Joseph Norris III -- both in the top five in the OAC.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Steckel finished his career with a program best 38 field goals and 183 extra points … Yearby ended with 4,372 yards (second behind Cartel Brooks, 5,168) on 801 carries (third). He had 43 rushing touchdowns (third) and 48 total touchdowns … Cunningham's six picks put him in a tie for fourth in the single-season record book … Quarterback
Drew Sims, who suffered a season-ending injury in October, finished his career 414-of-732 passing for 6,075 yards and 64 touchdowns -- top five in all categories … Heidelberg's last kick return for a touchdown came in 2021 when
Brandon Reed had a 95-yard touchdown at Muskingum.
