GAME NOTES

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – After a midseason bye week, the Cardinal football team will get itself back into action Saturday with a road test at Heidelberg University in the annual battle for the Rhine River Cup. Kickoff from Tiffin is slated to be under the lights at 7 p.m.

Now a 25-year anniversary, the tradition 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 Rhine River Cup ever since, with the Cards holding a 14-10-1 edge after last year's memorable 45-38 triumph.

"This game is always fun and interesting when you think about the closeness of our staffs," head coach Tim Doup said. "We have known each other for awhile, get along well and always look forward to the mix of camaraderie and competition. It's still business as usual as we prepare and battle for the Cup, but it's also special."

Both sides enter carrying identical records of 4-1 overall and 3-1 within Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play, with the Otterbein coming off a 49-92 shootout win at cross-town rival Capital. The Cards churned out almost 500 yards of total offense (313 on the ground) and received five total touchdowns from senior quarterback Logan Stepp.

"The bye came at exactly the right time following that emotional win over Capital," Doup explained. "We have been able to regroup before this Rhine River Cup game and now get back up for another big one. Our guys have had a chance to refocus, both mentally and physically, so I think we have a little more pep."

Stepp leads the OAC in total offense (321.8/gm), sits second in total TD's (20) and ranks top-15 nationally in both passing efficiency and points responsible for. He set a new Otterbein single-game record with 477 yards of offense against Heidelberg last season.

Junior running back Christian Johnson went for 117 yards and two scores against Capital while receivers Julian Lowe, Hunter Joseph and Payton Vanderkooi all snagged TD passes. Joseph hurt the Student Princes last fall with six grabs for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Both Otterbein and Heidelberg have been opportunistic so far on defense, with each unit holding 10 interceptions and the Cardinals also recovering five fumbles. They rank 18th-nationally in turnover margin (+9), spearheaded lately by linebacker Austin Jones and safety Fred Hardgrove.

"I challenged the defense during halftime at Capital to make a play," Doup said. "We needed someone to come up with a difference-making moment and help win the game. Austin forced a big second-half fumble, and then got his hand on the pass that Fred intercepted. Those efforts were great, but we still have to become more consistent with our play and get off the field on third down."

Hardgrove was recently named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week after 16 tackles and two picks at Capital, and now leads the conference in both tackles per game (11.0) and interceptions (4). Jones, a two-time All-OAC selection, has 34 tackles and two forced fumbles in the last two outings.

Heidelberg was lights out over the first month of the season before last week's 63-7 setback against No. 2-ranked Mount Union. The Student Princes, 26-6 at home since the start of 2011, will be hosting just their second-ever night game after installing lights prior to last year's schedule.

Senior quarterback Tyler Stoyle directs a high-powered offense and leads the league with 316 passing yards per game. He has a myriad of weapons at his disposal, most notably shifty running back Cameron Vocke along with wide receivers Dametrius Magee and Tony Morris. Vocke currently stands atop the conference with seven rushing touchdowns while Magee, last year's Ed Sherman Award winner given to the OAC's top receiver, is posting a league-best 118 yards per game through the air.

"It usually ends up a high-scoring game," said Doup, who is a very close friend with Stoyle's father, Jim. "They are so good athletically and feature a bunch of veterans that have been together for multiple years. Their offense has scored in bunches over the first half of the season and uses so many weapons."

The Berg' defense offers a ton of playmakers, headlined by All-American lineman Austin Crow. The Westerville native led the nation with 29.5 tackles for loss last year and already has nine this time around. Jermaine Burket paces the balanced group with 30 tackles and three interceptions.

"Austin Crow is one of the best defensive linemen I've ever seen in Division III," Doup said emphatically. "You have to account for him all the time because he's a massive game-changer and does things that keep you up at night. It will be another challenge."

Heidelberg had won five-straight meetings prior to Otterbein snapping that streak last year. The Berg' claimed a 49-31 victory during the most recent matchup in Tiffin, in 2015, behind a magnificent effort from Stoyle in what was his first-career start. He completed 30 of 45 passes for 388 yards and five touchdowns.

Fans can follow Saturday's action through live stats, live audio (WOBN 97.5) and live video. Click HERE to view full schedule page and access all links.