October 27, 2007
Box Score

GRINNELL, Iowa - A trip to Grinnell College was just what the doctor ordered to forget about last week's loss at St. Norbert, and the Red Hawks forgot about it in a big way, defeating Grinnell 47-21 on Saturday. Ripon gained twice as many first downs as the Pioneers, while also piling up 460 rushing yards, which ranks fourth in school history for a single game. Ripon's 592 total yards puts them fifth for a single game in Ripon history.

The Red Hawks (6-3, 6-2) marched right down the field on their opening drive, scoring four minutes into the game on a one-yard run by quarterback Tygh Walters. Ripon would add to that first quarter lead with just over two minutes to go in the opening period, as John McGuire punched it in from 13 yards out, for his first of four touchdowns.

The second quarter began much like the first, with a Ripon touchdown drive. Quarterback Matthew Miller got into the action this time with a four-yard touchdown run, in relief of Walters. The Red Hawks continued to pile up the touchdowns later in the half, as Scott Perkins found pay dirt on a seven yard run, giving Ripon a 24-0 lead after each of their four PAT attempts failed. The Pioneers (1-8, 1-7) finally got on the board just before halftime when quarterback Ben Remington found Mike Martinez for a 48 yard hookup. After their PAT failed, Ripon took a 24-6 lead into halftime.

Grinnell cut into that lead at the start of the third quarter. The Pioneers took the opening drive 44 yards in five plays, culminated by a Todd Doleshal touchdown run. The two-point conversion was good, cutting Ripon's lead to 10 points. That would be as close as the Pioneers would get the rest of the day. One and a half minutes after Grinnell narrowed the gap, McGuire found the end zone again for the Red Hawks with an 11 yard run, one play after Perkins set up the touchdown with a 48 yard scamper of his own.

McGuire wasn't done there. He scored his third TD of the game in the closing minutes of the third quarter, this time on a 25 yard reception from Walters. He would then add his fourth and final score early in the fourth period on an 18-yard run, giving Ripon a 44-14 lead, which marked their largest of the game. The Pioneers managed one more score, but Ripon coasted from there, adding a 33-yard field goal by Bob Wood, which capped the scoring.

Perkins led the way for Ripon's rushing attack, finishing with 191 yards on the ground, while averaging 10.6 yards per carry. McGuire also averaged 10.6 yards per carry, finishing with 127 rushing yards, while also catching two passes for 30 yards. Andrew Fink was the third Red Hawk to average more than 10 yards per carry, rushing for 64 yards on six carries for an average of 10.7. The defense was led by Joshua Kraemer, who recorded a team-high 10 tackles, while also intercepting a pass.

Ripon will look to end their season on a positive note next weekend, as they'll host Lawrence University in their season finale. The game is slated for a 1:00 start at Ingalls Field and can be seen live via webcast at www.midwestconference.tv.