TIFFIN, Ohio – Otterbein trailed just 21-13 as halftime approached, but Heidelberg captured momentum before intermission and ultimately cruised in the second half at its raucous Hoernemann Stadium as part of Homecoming.

The Student Princes, who began the year ranked in the national poll, improve to 4-1 this season after yet another shootout in the battle for the Rhine River Cup. Otterbein and Heidelberg squared off in the first-ever college football game played on German soil in 1992, which ended in a tie. The two schools have been playing for the Rhine River Cup ever since, with the Heidelberg now holding a 15-14-1 advantage.

Heidelberg led 14-0 after the first quarter, but Otterbein got on the board thanks to a seven-yard touchdown from QB Bryce Hall. The Cards then trailed 21-7 and missed a field-goal attempt, but were benefactors on the next sequence as a Heidelberg swing pass was ruled backward. Freshman safety Charlie Hornacek wisely scooped up the loose ball and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown.

Despite that temporary momentum, Heidelberg added ten more points in the last five minutes of the quarter to take a 31-13 lead at intermission. Otterbein was unsuccessful on two field goals, an extra point and snapped the ball over punter Adyn Snyder's head in the end zone.

The Student Princes received a 47-yard touchdown run from Montavious Yearby to begin the third quarter, and the climb back would be just too steep for the Cardinals. Otterbein's lone score of the second half came on a 4th-and-3 conversion around the goal line when Hall connected with Robert Jordan near the pylon.

The game featured more than 850 yards of total offense with Heidelberg posting a slim 463-400 edge in the category. HU held a 203-64 advantage on the ground and was +3 in the turnover department.

Hall threw for 336 yards, but three picks, as sophomore wideout Armani Burton had a career night with eight grabs for 107 yards. Freshman Cayden Dougherty, making his season debut after fighting through an injury to begin his college career, caught a nice pass up the sidelines for 50 yards.

Siraj Muhammad and Ahjay Cody combined to rush 29 times for 85 yards. Greg Nolder led the defense once again, this time making eight stops, while safety Max Walden had another six.

Otterbein will return home and play inside Memorial Stadium next Saturday for the first time since mid-September. The Cards will host Muskingum for Hall of Fame weekend at 2 p.m.