Otterbein (1-1, 0-1 OAC), travels to take on Heidelberg (1-1, 0-1 OAC) Saturday afternoon in the Battle for the Rhine River Cup. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
Otterbein and Heidelberg have been battling for the Rhine River Cup ever since the two teams played the first-ever collegiate football game in Frankfurt, Germany in 1992, which ended in a 7-7 tie. The Cardinals hold a 12-5-1 lead in the Rhine River series, having won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including the last seven.
The Cardinals enter the contest fresh off a 34-10 loss to Ohio Northern, who were ranked 11th at the time.
Since, the Polar Bears have risen to tenth while Otterbein, ranked 18th a week ago, has dropped out of the rankings but did receive votes in the latest poll.
Junior quarterback Austin Schlosser, who made his first career start last season against Ohio Northern, completed just 11 of 24 passes with one touchdown, and two interceptions, in the loss.
Senior running back Colton Coy picked up 86 yards on 20 carries, but was unable to find the end zone.
Defensively, junior defensive back Dominic Jones led the way with 14 stops, while Matt Ross, Anthony Korpieski, and Wil Longsdorf each made nine tackles.
"It was obviously an extremely disappointing game for us," head coach Joe Loth said. “We went in there with high expectations, and we didn't play up to our expectations on offense or defense. Special teams was OK, but where we're at as a program, that was definitely a disappointing loss."
The team will now be looking to rebound on both sides of the ball and pick up its first conference win of the season.
"I think our guys are just anxious to get back and do the little things we didn't do against Northern," Loth said. “Northern is very talented and they took it to us, but you can really get into that film and figure out what you need to do better and make vast improvements."
Heidelberg features a very explosive offense, one that is averaging 31 points per contest so far this fall.
Leading the way is quarterback Andrew Miller, who has tallied four touchdown passes over the first two games.
Miller has one of the OAC’s top weapons to throw to in wide receiver Mike Preston. The 6’4” target has 15 catches for 217 yards and three of those scores.
In the backfield, the Student Princes have been paced by the duo of Germany Woods and Brad Jones, who are averaging 56 and 55 yards per game, respectively. Woods has three touchdowns to his credit.
"They're good on offense, they're good on defense, they have good special teams,” said Loth. They are a well-coached football team, and we know it's going to be a huge challenge for us."
Click here to watch Coach Loth’s full interview with Otterbein360.com.
