Oberlin College reached the end zone twice in the final seven minutes of action as the Yeomen sent the Denison Big Red back to Granville with a 20-10 loss at Savage Stadium in Oberlin, Ohio.

After eight consecutive drives ended with either team punting the ball away, the Big Red finally broke the scoreless tie in the second quarter.  Looking to avoid their fourth three-and-out, sophomore quarterback Max Paulus ran for 12 yards to convert a key third-and-nine situation and  keep the drive alive.  After an 11-yard carry by senior running back Dan Crawford gave DU a fresh set of downs, Paulus found Lucas Graham and Braden Layer on back-to-back plays.  Graham's catch on first down went for nine yards, while Layer snagged a 23-yard pass to get the Big Red all the way down to the Oberlin two yard line.  On first-and-goal from the two, Crawford got the call and pounded the ball into the end zone to give Denison a 7-0 lead with 5:05 left in the half.  DU moved the ball 58 yards in seven plays as they ran 3:48 off the clock for their initial score.

After each team went three-and-out on their next possessions, the Yeomen started their final drive of the half at the Denison 22 with 1:39 on the clock.  Following an incompletion to open the drive, Mixter got the call on three-straight plays to get OC down to the Big Red 11 yard line with 42 ticks left before the half.  Coming out of their timeout, Mandel completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Robin Witjes with 38 seconds left in the second quarter.  Following a missed PAT by Zach Richard, Denison entered the half with a 7-6 lead.

Neither team managed to score in the third period as the Big Red took their one-point edge into the final 15 minutes.  DU's first drive of the final period went 24 yards in seven plays and resulted in a 25-yard field goal by senior kicker Kevin Schneider.  Schneider's kick extended the visiting team's lead to 10-6 with 13:01 left in regulation.

Oberlin took their only lead of the day when Mandel capped off a 5-play, 31-yard drive with a five-yard TD pass to Danny Enright.  The point after by Zach Richard gave the Yeomen a three-point lead with 6:57 left in the game.  After converting a first down on the second play, the Big Red's ensuing drive stalled after a pair of OC sacks.  The home team wasted no time extending their lead as Cory Kidd threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Witjes on the opening play of their next drive.

With only 4:20 left in the game, the Denison drive was aided by a pair of Yeomen penalties.  Now first-and-10 at the OC 22 yard line, the Big Red had the opportunity to score quickly and try for the onside kick.  However, three-straight incompletions set up a fourth-and-long situation.  Unfortunately, an interception by Zach Kisley at the two-yard line sealed the win for Oberlin.

Paulus finished the game 16-of-31 for 135 yards, while Crawford paced the ground attack with 26 yards and a score on nine carries.  Rookie running back John Wilson also carried the ball twice for 25 yards.  Layer paced the DU receiving core with 52 yards on four receptions.

Mixter finished the day with 102 yards on 21 carries, while Witjes caught three balls for 72 yards and two TDs.  Mandel completed 10-of-20 passes for 150 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Scott Baird logged a game-high eight tackles, while Nat Kell made seven stops (six solo) and recorded a 15-yard sack.  Eric Conrad also added seven tackles, while Charles Coleman tacked on six and notched one pick.

Oberlin improves to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference while Denison drops to 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the NCAC.  Denison returns to action in two weeks (Nov. 13) when they close out the 2010 season at Kenyon College.  Kickoff in Gambier, Ohio is slated for 1 p.m.