The Kenyon football team faced a challenging matchup last weekend, falling 55-13 to Ohio Wesleyan University at home. The Owls’ record currently stands at 1-6 (1-4 NCAC).

The visiting Battling Bishops struck first, putting together a long opening drive that ended in a touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead. The game intensified quickly when Kenyon’s subsequent drive ended with an interception that Ohio Wesleyan returned for another touchdown, suddenly putting the Owls in a 14-point deficit before the first quarter had even finished. 

Kenyon looked to regroup and responded early in the second quarter, with quarterback Drew Morgan ’29 connecting on a series of long passes to Tyler Gladden ’28 and Luca Rumberg ’29 to move the team downfield. Morgan finished the drive off himself with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. However, the momentum didn’t last long. Ohio Wesleyan added two field goals before halftime, stretching the lead to 20-7 and regaining total control of the contest. 

Ohio Wesleyan spent the second half further extending its lead as the Bishops found their rhythm on offense and piled on several touchdowns, including one on a punt return and another set up by a Kenyon interception. Their passing attack was sharp all day, and their run game wore down the Owls’ defense. Despite the lopsided score, Kenyon managed to add one more touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Nolan Dirks ’27 broke free for a 9-yard run to close out a strong drive. 

Notably, running back Jordon Benjamin ’26 stood out for Kenyon with 81 rushing yards on 16 carries, while Morgan threw for 165 yards. Defensively, the Owls continued to rack up sacks, adding three more to their season total of 30, which leads the nation across all three divisions of college football. 

The Owls will look to bounce back against The College of Wooster on the road next Saturday. Last season, Kenyon beat the Fighting Scots for the first time since 2012 with a score of 32-26.