TIFFIN -- Despite a career-high 239 yards rushing from tailback Drew Miller, the Heidelberg University Football lost in overtime to Calvin University, 40-37. The Student Princes scored 14 points in the fourth quarter -- a frenetic rally that forced the extra frame. After Drew Ramsdail put HU ahead with a 38-yard field goal, the Knights scored a walk-off touchdown on 3rd-and-8 to secure the victory. 

Miller's rampage came on 36 carries, also a career high. He found the end zone twice. Quarterback Ty Poorman threw for a touchdown and rushed for one, amassing 134 yards through the air.   

In the first quarter, the Student Princes lit up the scoreboard on their second drive, as Alex Arledge punctuated the 73-yard drive on a 16-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Sandoval. The visiting Knights responded with a 34-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four at the end of the quarter. 

Calvin took to the air in the second quarter with a 16-yard touchdown strike of their own to take their first lead of the night, a lead that was short lived as Miller capped off the possession with a 34-yard touchdown scamper, putting the hosts up 14-10. Calvin turned to their backfield to end the scoring for the half, a 10-yard touchdown run, taking a 17-14 lead into the locker room. 


Calvin started the third quarter with a six play drive, but came away empty handed as their 31-yard field goal attempt missed wide, setting Heidelberg up with the ball at their own 20. The Berg got things going before a costly fumble from Miller gave the visitors the ball and a new set of downs at the Heidelberg 40. Calvin struck quickly to add to their lead, a three-play drive (and a Berg penalty) ending in six to push the lead to 10. Disaster would strike once again for the hosts, as Ty Poorman would get picked off by the Knights. The defense held tough, limiting Calvin to three. Heidelberg trailed, 27-14, but it felt like more. 

After an explosive Tyreese Clerveau kick return out to the Heidelberg 46, the Student Princes surgically dissected the Knights defense for six of their own, but a blocked extra point kept Calvin in front by seven. Calvin would in turn move down the field quickly on their next drive, scoring on a 41-yard pass on fourth down to swell the lead to 14 to end the scoring in the third.


With their hopes fading, Heidelberg came to life in the fourth. Miller ducked into the end zone from three yards out, capping an eight-play, 80-yard drive at the exact midpoint in the quarter. 

Ever the gambler, HU Head Coach Scott Donaldson called for an onside kick. Freshman Landon Stein chipped the ball down the right side. Missing an open look to catch it, Heidelberg had to pull it out of a pile -- which Shae Sparks managed to do. 

The Sparks spark ignited the fevered crowd to cheer on the hosts. After a couple rushes from Miller, Poorman found Dmitry Peters for a 16-yard strike, moving the ball down to the nine.  On 4th-and-goal from the eight, Poorman stepped up into the pocket and rifled a pass to Sandoval who held on, despite being upended on the play. Ethan Ramsdail knotted the game at 34 with the PAT.

On the ensuing possession, Calvin drove the ball and drained the clock. Down to the edge of the red zone, the Knights came up short on 3rd-and-2 and settled for a crack at a 35-yard game winning field goal. The kick sailed wide left, essentially sending the game to overtime.

In the extra session, the Knights forced a field goal attempt by stuffing Miller for a loss of five on 3rd-and-1. Ramsdail calmly drilled the 38-yarder -- a career long. 

On their possession, Calvin quarterback Thomas Vaccaro threw for a first down on the first play, but faced 3rd-and-8 from the 11. He found his favorite target -- the 6-7 Luke Michmerhuizen -- in the back of the end zone. Michmerhuizen leapt and caught the ball, sliding to a hip -- his 10th reception of the game. The game-winner was confirmed via replay, sending the visitors home with the win.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 
Miller's 239 yards were the most for a 'Berg tailback since Bryan Lacey rushed for 207 yards in a 63-28 win at Marietta in 2015 … The onside kick recovery was HU's first since the penultimate game in 2024, when Dane West had one in the win over Otterbein. 

UP NEXT:  
Heidelberg heads into their bye week before returning to Hoernemann Stadium on Oct. 4. The game is part of Homecoming, and is one day after the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Heidelberg's new Fieldhouse.