Box Score GRANVILLE, Ohio — What a difference a week makes as far as execution goes.

Although the Earlham College football lost for the second straight contest, penalties were not a factor in the season opener. Mistakes were, however, influential on Saturday as the Quakers dropped a 41-20 non-conference decision to Denison University.

“Our guys were doing what they can and working hard,” Earlham Head Coach Gerry Keesling said. “I'm a little disappointed in our consistency, but we are becoming a better football team.”

On Saturday, Earlham had eight penalties for 68 yards, while last week the Quakers had one for five yards. The yardage wasn't necessarily the biggest factor, but the timing was important.

The critical miscue came late in the third quarter as the Quakers were trying to bounce back from a slow start. With Denison leading 22-7, Earlham forced the Big Red into a field goal try by Kevin Schneider.

“It was a little frustrating that it just seemed every time we got a big play it was being called back,” Keesling said. “The blocked field goal was a 14-point swing. We would have been inside of one score if that had held up.”

Ben Randall blocked the attempt and Dominique Peterson ran 82-yards for a score that would have closed the gap and possibly had the Quakers to within one score.

Instead, the Quakers were called for an offside penalty and Denison scored a touchdown on the next play to build a 28-7 advantage with 2:48 remaining in the third period. From that point, the Quakers scored two more times, but the damage was done.

Scoreless start

Both teams had the ball twice in the opening period and failed to score, but Denison began the second quarter with a field goal. The Big Red added three touchdowns to go on top 22-0.

Earlham found the end zone for the first time on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Dorian Jenkins to Kyle Ripperger with five seconds remaining to make 22-7 at intermission.

Third quarter

The second half started with Earlham forcing Denison to punt. Earlham then had a its initial possession of the third quarter stalled by a holding penalty. The teams exchanged turnovers and the stage was set for the blocked field goal that was called back.

On Earlham's next possession, Jenkins found Andy Cain for a 19-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-14.

“Our offense finally got going on some things, but it was a little too late,” Keesling said. “We're getting better, but I just wish it was coming a little faster.”

Denison followed with another score to make it 34-14. On their next drive, the Quakers overcame a 15-yard tripping penalty as Jenkins hit Bryant Foreman for a 10-yard scoring strike and it was 34-20. The Big Red finished the contest with another score to put the game away.

Jenkins ended the day completing 14-of-24 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Foreman finished with six catches for 53 yards. Ripperger had four grabs for 59 yards.

Defensively, Collin Draine led the Quakers with nine tackles. He added a forced fumble and a recovery. Dan Kelich added eight tackles with John Metcalf and Ryan McCray contributing seven each.

Earlham (0-2) visits Manchester College next Saturday as the Quakers play their first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference since joining the league this year. The contest begins at 1:30 p.m.

Box Score