GREENCASTLE, Ind.—Matt Hunt passed for 255 yards and three touchdowns as DePauw handed No. 22 Denison its first loss of the season, 30-16 from Blackstock Stadium.  The loss drops the Big Red to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference while the Tigers improve to 6-2 and 5-2 in conference play.

The DePauw defense set the tone early, forcing punts on the Big Red's first three possessions of the game.  Denison trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter and after recovering a DePauw fumble late in the period, DU had excellent field position as the second quarter began.  Faced with fourth-and-11 from the Tiger 21, Conor Dunn's 39-yard field goal attempt was blocked by a DePauw defender.  Six plays later, Matt Hunt completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Andy Hunt, giving DePauw a 10-0 lead.

Two more three-and-out's by the Big Red set the stage for a 37-yard scoring strike by Hunt to Ben Wilson on third down.  Trailing 17-0, DU put together a 10-play 86-yard drive that lasted only 1:39.  It ended with a 31-yard touchdown pass by Canaan Gebele to Ryan Roberts on fourth and 4.

Hoping to take some positive momentum into the locker room, Denison kicked off to the Tigers with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter.  Despite the time constraints, Hunt drove his team 65 yards in eight plays, ending with a 6-yard TD pass to Nolan Ayres.

DePauw's second possession of the second half also resulted in points as Matt Hunt scrambled 37 yards on second down for the TD.  Denison blocked the PAT attempt by Marko Adams and Joel Lohoua returned the block 95 yards, making the score 30-9 in favor of the Tigers.

In the fourth quarter, Denison moved quickly in its two-minute offense trying to make it a two-score game.  With just over five minutes to play from the DePauw 35, senior quarterback Tommy Iammarino, who entered the game in the third quarter in relief of Gebele, threw down the middle and was intercepted by David Cory near the goal line. 

After the turnover, DePauw was conservative, opting to punt after three straight running plays.  Denison took over on the Tiger 34 and a 21-yard pass by Tommy Iammarino to Matt Iammarino had the Big Red knocking on the door.  On first down from the DePauw 4-yard line, Iammarino found David Weimar in the end zone, making the score 30-16.

On the ensuing onside kick attempt, the ball was recovered by DePauw, allowing the Tigers to take over on their own 46-yard line.  The Denison defense forced a quick punt, but field possession was not favorable.  Forced to try and make something happen with less than two minutes on the clock, Iammarino's pass got tipped at the line and intercepted.  That allowed the Tigers to take the victory formation.

DePauw held a slight 379-354 advantage in total yards but the Tiger defensive line set the tone.  They sacked Denison six times while pressuring Big Red QB's into a season-high four interceptions.

Gebele was 23-of-41 for 239 yards and one touchdown pass.  Tommy Iammarino was 8-of-14 for 103 yards and one touchdown.  Junior wide receiver Charlie Mueller caught a career-high 11 passes for 101 yards.  Matt Iammarino followed with five grabs for 82 yards.

Andrew Baird led the defense with 12 tackles and one interception.  Ryan Zinkula followed with 10 tackles and an interception.

Hunt finished 25-of-40 for 255 yards and three touchdowns.  He also led the team in rushing with 67 yards and a score.  Andy Hunt led the way with 10 receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown.  Defensively, Pete Nelson recorded 3.5 sacks and five tackles.

Despite the loss, Denison still controls its own destiny in the quest for their first NCAC championship since 1986.  Wins over Wabash and Kenyon to end the season secure at least a share of the title.

Denison will host Wabash College next Saturday, Nov. 5 at Piper Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.