Game Notes
Coach Doup Radio Show - Week 6

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein football team is gearing up to host its only night game of the season Saturday evening, welcoming Heidelberg University into Memorial Stadium as part of Hall of Fame weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The two schools will once again square off in their annual battle for the Rhine River Cup, which began in 1992 when Otterbein and Heidelberg took part in the first-ever collegiate football game played in Germany. That game ended in a 7-7 tie and both sides have been competing for the Cup ever since, with the Cards holding a 13-10-1 edge but dropping the past five meeting in the series.

Otterbein (2-3, 2-2 OAC) got back into the win column last weekend with a much-needed win at Muskingum, prevailing 30-17 after a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Cards hold three losses by a combined 10 points this year.

"You always feel good after a win, regardless if it comes by one point or 40 points," head coach Tim Doup said. "A win is a win when you get to this point in the season, especially considering what our guys have gone through the first half of the year."

Quarterback Logan Stepp had another three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) at Muskingum, making him the Ohio Athletic Conference leader with 15 total scores through the first half of the schedule. He caught seven passes for 59 yards last year at Heidelberg when he was playing receiver. Running back Isaiah Richmond continues finding his form, carrying 12 times for 109 yards and a game-clinching touchdowns last Saturday. He is currently averaging almost nine yards per carry.

The Otterbein defense regained its form after a disappointing result against Capital on October 1, with senior defensive back Jalen Liggins making his first-career interception and defensive end Kyle Blust registering his fifth sack. Otterbein's defense is allowing just 98.8 rushing yards per game.

Heidelberg (2-3, 2-2 OAC) has opened with a rather challenging stretch, playing Cortland State in the non-conference before starting league play against Ohio Northern, John Carroll, Muskingum and then top-ranked Mount Union last week. The Student Princes, led by first-year head coach Scott Donaldson, have scored 35-plus in the past three meetings against Otterbein in what have been some high-scoring, entertaining games.

"It seems like we are right there for a while and then all of a sudden the wheels start falling off," Doup said about recent matchups in the series. "I've noticed that we always start strong, but Heidelberg seems to find its stride towards the latter part of the game and we somehow lose our edge. They are always a physical, well-coached football team that knows how to pull games out against us."

Leading the Heidelberg offense is junior quarterback Tyler Stoyle, who made a stunning collegiate debut last year against Otterbein by completing 30 of 45 passes for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Senior running back Bryan Lacey is just three yards away from 3,000 for his career, and wide receiver Demetrius Magee has a touchdown in eight-straight games.

"Their offensive line is very good and Lacey is a great running back, so don't let their rushing numbers fool you," head coach Tim Doup said. "If you look at recent meetings, we haven't done a good job of stopping their run game. I think they'll want to establish things on the ground and then let Stoyle perform as he does. They can be very balanced if, or when, they need to be."

Otterbein will do all it can to contain Heidelberg junior defensive lineman Austin Crow in the trenches. The Westerville native leads all of NCAA Division III with 17 tackles for a loss and was recently named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week. He had originally committed to Otterbein in 2014 before deciding to attend Heidelberg.

It will also be Hall of Fame weekend at Otterbein as six decorated individuals are officially indicuted. Members of the 2016 class include Tara Carter (women's soccer – class of 2011), Ryan Dorff (men's golf – class of 2003), Jenny Knox Gayler (women's soccer – class of 2011), Mike Sawicki (cross country/track – class of 2006), Don Snider (football – class of 1979) and Richard C. West (contributor from 1948-55).

Fans can follow Saturday's game through LIVE STATS, LIVE AUDIO AND LIVE VIDEO.