Box Score Gambier, Ohio - DePauw's defense allowed host Kenyon just 270 yards of offense and only 18 on the ground as the Tigers opened North Coast Athletic Conference play with a 21-7 win over the Lords. The Tigers improved to 1-1 overall, while Kenyon dropped to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in NCAC play.
DePauw forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and recovered at the Kenyon 19, but the Tigers couldn't capitalize as Jack Drake's 34-yard field goal attempt missed to the left.
Another key special teams play occurred later in the first as Ty Johnson booted a 54-yard punt and the Tigers again forced and recovered a fumble, this time at the Kenyon 15. Again, DePauw couldn't cash in as Drake missed a 33-yarder to the right.
The Tigers took a 7-0 lead on their next series as Noah Jones scored on a 2-yard run with 2:21 left in the opening stanza that capped a 55-yard drive that included five carries by Jones totaling 43 yards.
Another three-and-out by the DePauw defense and a short punt gave the Tigers the ball at their own 49 late in the first. After Jones carried for five, Chase Andries completed passes to Cam Haynes for 10 yards and another to Ethan Hudson for 20 before connecting with Will Harris for a 15-yard score just 41 seconds into the second quarter to make it 14-7.
Kenyon put together its first sustained drive the next time it touched the ball, but the drive stalled at the Tigers' 26 after four straight incomplete passes.
Midway through the third, the Lords drove to the DePauw 25, but again the Tigers stopped them on downs.
After Kenyon's Trevor Brown intercepted Andries at the DePauw 39, the hosts reached the board in the fourth as Thomas Merkle completed a 20-yard pass to Jimmy Andrews with 10:13 left.
Later in the fourth, DePauw's Charlie Gruner blocked a Kenyon punt and the Tigers started at the Lords' 35. Seven plays later Andries connected with James Deaton for an 8-yard scoring pass with 3:57 left.
Kenyon drove to DePauw 4 with just over one minute remaining, but the Tigers forced a fumble that they recovered at third own 4. From there they were able to seal the victory.
Kenyon held a 279-212 advantage in total offense, but DePauw's defense limited Kenyon to 22 rushing yards in 18 tries.
Jones paced DePauw with 73 rushing yards in 17 tries, while Andries completed 15 of 28 passes for 140 yards. Four each of those went to Gavin Ritter and Harris.
Merkle completed 25 of 50 for 261 yards as Daniel Russell hauled in eight for 43 yards and Andris Balodis caught six for 94 yards.
Connor Perkins, Josh Pottebaum, Jake Labus and Adam Pozzobon each recorded six tackles with Pozzobon and Joe Zanch each collecting a sack.
Sam Dickey led Kenyon with nine tackles, while Michael Picone and Jack Sherritt had seven stops apiece.
Johnson averaged 45.0 yards on six punts for the Old Gold.
DePauw opens the home portion of its schedule on September 28 when it hosts Wittenberg at 1 p.m.
