The Kenyon football team had an exhilarating finish on Saturday, beating Ohio Wesleyan University 13-12 in a close matchup. The win clinched the Owls’ 5-5 season, which marks the first time since 2012 that the team has finished with a .500 record. Additionally, Kenyon celebrated its Senior Day on Saturday in front of a thundering crowd, recognizing the Owls’ nine seniors.

The first half of the game was an offensive struggle for both teams. After a failed drive by the Owls, the Battling Bishops took the early lead with a touchdown in the first quarter from Kenyon’s 2-yard line. However, Trey Blazevich ’28 had an outstanding block on the kick, denying the Battling Bishops the extra point. A lack of scoring for the rest of the half left the Owls with a small deficit going into the halftime, as Ohio Wesleyan led 6-0. 

Kenyon showed offensive improvement after halftime. With just under five minutes left in the third quarter, a 38-yard field goal attempt from Tyler Bell ’27 finally put the Owls on the board. Strong defensive play from both teams led to a 6-3 score going into the final quarter of the game, with hopes high for Kenyon. After Tyler Gladden ’28 caught a punt on the Owls’ own 25-yard line, Kenyon set up to drive with 6:37 left to play in the fourth. On the next play, Park Penrod ’25 launched a rocket to Charlie Taylor ’27 for a 75-yard touchdown, putting the Owls ahead 9-6. Taylor’s catch left the stands ecstatic, and despite a penalty call for defensive unsportsmanlike conduct, the touchdown was good. To finish it off, Bell converted the extra point to put the Owls up 10-6 with 6:12 to go. 

However, the Bishops did not give up there. On the drive directly following Taylor’s touchdown, Ohio Wesleyan returned the punt for a 91-yard touchdown, retaking the lead. But once again, Kenyon’s defense was relentless, stopping the 2-point conversion attempt and leaving the score 12-10. After that, Penrod kickstarted a drive that took Kenyon down to Ohio Wesleyan’s 45-yard line before the Owls stalled. With just 1:24 left on the clock, Bell stepped onto the field once more for a crucial field goal attempt to put the Owls ahead. A silence fell over the crowd as the ball soared between the goal posts and the kick was confirmed to be good, putting the Owls ahead and earning Bell his second NCAC Athlete of the Week honors. In the closing seconds of the season, Kenyon’s defense prevented Ohio Wesleyan from scoring, officially defeating the Battling Bishops 13-12. 

Defensively, Dominic Simpson ’27 led the charge with 10 tackles. Andy Melian ’25 followed closely behind with nine, then Blazevich with eight. Offensively, Penrod went 14-for-27, ending with 194 passing yards. Drake Lewis ’25 had 20 carries for 108 rushing yards, followed by Penrod with 15 carries for 44 yards. Taylor’s 92 receiving yards were the true triumph of the day, with his 75-yard touchdown being Kenyon’s longest play of the season. 

The Owls will now look ahead to next season, where they hope to improve on their success from 2024.