A trio of Kenyon College receivers kicked off the Owls era Saturday with strong season-opening performances that carried the home team to a 33-26 victory over the visiting Bluffton University Beavers.
Senior Finn Murray led the Kenyon charge with eight catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns grabs, including one that sealed the win with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Sophomore Zachary Kim added six catches for 88 yards, and senior Andrew Schnarre hauled in three balls for 77 yards.
Behind all those passes was senior quarterback Ryan O’Leary, who went 22-of-37 for 302 yards and two scoring strikes. It was O’Leary’s feet, however, that were responsible for the first score of the game, as he scrambled for a 35-yard run that gave the Owls an early 7-0 lead.
Bluffton answered on its next possession when Maalik Tucker broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown run. After that, Kenyon took control with three more scoring drives and a 26-6 Owls’ advantage.
Kenyon was held scoreless in the third quarter and the Beavers crept a little closer, pulling within seven points at 26-19 after Jake Baumgartner converted a 37-yard Bluffton field goal. The Beavers closed to within a touchdown in the closing moments, but their ensuing onside kick was recovered by Kim for a Kenyon team that just ran out the remaining seconds on the clock.
