GAMBIER, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan football got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon at Kenyon. The Battling Bishops utilized a huge second half as they pulled away to a 55-13 win. 

OWU improves to 2-5 overall and picks up their first NCAC victory at 1-4. Kenyon falls to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

The Red and Black worked quick to build a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter. First Ohio Wesleyan took their opening drive 75 yards, capped off by a 15-yard C.J. Jackson touchdown pass to Josh Hurst. Next, John Banks Jr. abruptly ended the ensuing Kenyon drive with a 36-yard pick six to put the Bishops up 14-0.

The Owls momentarily interrupted the OWU momentum with a touchdown of their own, but that Battling Bishops tacked on two 26-yard field goals from Ryan Elliot to take a 20-7 advantage at the half.

The Red and Black continued their offensive dominance in the second half, putting up 35 points as opposed to just six for the hosts. It all started with some trickeration as Quin Schroder received a pitch on the reverse from Jackson. Schroder then tossed it seven yards to a sliding Hurst in the endzone. Devon Haley then added another touchdown to end the quarter on a three-yard rush.

Haley went on to open up the fourth quarter, toting the ball 32 yards to pay dirt for another touchdown to extend the Bishop lead to 34. Kenyon answered with a 79-yard touchdown drive, but six was all they would get as Abram Beer blocked the extra point attempt.

OWU would add on two more TDs to end the game, leading to a 55-13 final score. Giovanni Rufus accounted for the first touchdown with a one-yard run. Finally, Jake Smothers set off some fireworks to put the game away, taking a punt return 84 yards to the house for the final score of the game. That punt return tied Kevin Herman's return against Allegheny in 2013 for the third-longest in Ohio Wesleyan history.

THE NUMBERS
Ohio Wesleyan had 505 yards of total offense, their second-highest total of the season. The Bishops had 189 yards on the ground and 316 yards through the air.

C.J. Jackson led the OWU offense with 22-for-39 passing for 309 yards and one touchdown. He added three yards on the ground to total 312 yards of offense.

Quin Schroeder was 1-for-1 passing on his seven-yard touchdown pass. As a receiver, he had one catch for 21 yards.

Devon Haley led the ground game with a career-high 135 yards on 22 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. Giovanni Rufus recorded a career-high 51 yards one eight carries.

Josh Hurst led the receiving corps with eight receptions for 111 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns. Reddik Pillarelli reeled in eight catches for 87 yards. Austin Koslow made three catches for 73 yards. Bryan Hines Jr. had three receptions for 24 yards.

On the defensive end, the Battling Bishops had three interceptions, including a 36-yard pick six. The Red and Black also had three sacks for a total loss of 32 yards and nine total tackles for loss.

Abram Beer led the defensive with five tackles (five solo) and also blocked an extra point. Grant Johnson had four tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss, and a career-high two interceptions. Collin Wehner had four tackles and one tackle for loss. Quin Schroeder, Joseph Seney, Jack Novak, and Ya'Va Harris had three tackles each (all solo). John Banks Jr. had two tackles (one solo) and one interception, taking it back 36 yards for a pick six.

Jake Smothers had an 84-yard punt return touchdown, tying the third-longest in OWU history. He also accounted for two tackles (two solo).

Ryan Elliot was 2-for-2 on field goals, both 26 yards, and 7-for-7 one extra points.

UP NEXT
The Bishops are back at home next Saturday as they face No. 16/17 DePauw at 1 p.m.