Box Score Sam Fioroni totaled 209 all-purpose yards and Max Paulus threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns helping Denison roll past Hiram, 38-10 from Henry Field.
Fioroni had his way with the Terriers in two previous starts, rushing for 200 yards in 2010, and 213 yards a season ago. This year's total may not have eclipsed the 200-yard plateau, but he did end with 129 yards off 29 carries. He was also Paulus' favorite target in the passing game, hauling in nine receptions for 80 yards, including the game's first touchdown.
Clinging to a 10-7 lead late in the second quarter, Paulus orchestrated an 8-play 53-yard drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior Nick Keller. The Big Red would force Hiram to punt after three plays on their ensuing possession. With excellent field position and just 28 seconds left in the quarter, Paulus completed passes to Fioroni for eight yards and John Wilson for 15-yards before hooking up with DuShawn Brown on a 36-yard scoring strike to end the first half. The touchdown catch was the first of Brown's career and the 40th career TD pass for Paulus.
In the second half, DU outscored Hiram 14-3, setting the final at 38-10. Paulus finished the game 21-of-34 for 247 yards and four TDs. Fioroni ended with nine catches for 80 yards and one score. Senior Braden Layer caught eight passes for 89 yards and senior fullback Steven Lilley reached the end zone on a 9-yard pass in the third quarter.
In the kicking game, Matt Puracchio was 1-for-2 with a long of 28-yards in the first quarter. He was 5-for-5 in point-after attempts.
The Big Red defensive line put tremendous pressure on Hiram all afternoon. The Terriers rushed for -38 yards off 18 attempts. Hiram's quarterbacks were sacked five times and their offensive backs were tackled for a loss nine times.
Brendon Rehor was 8-of-16 for 108 yards and a touchdown. Zach Bailey relieved Rehor and was 4-of-10 for 56 yards. Richard Simpson led all receivers with five catches for 123 yards. His day was highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown from Rehor in the second quarter.
Six different DU defenders posted sacks while Teddy Kuntz led the way with 2 ½ tackles for-a-loss, one sack and three stops. Eric Conrad led the team with four tackles while Zach Pewitt and Lars Soderberg each recovered fumbles.
The Denison offense dominated time of possession, holding the ball on offense for 44 of the game's 60 minutes.
DU improves to 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, while Hiram falls to 0-4. Denison's next opponent will be The College of Wooster on Saturday (Sept. 29) at 1 p.m. from Piper Stadium in Granville.
