CHICAGO – The University of Chicago football team received another huge effort from running back Nicholas D'Ambrose and secured a 38-14 victory against Ripon College on Homecoming Saturday.

The Maroons improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Midwest Conference. The Red Hawks dropped to 5-2 this season (4-2 MWC).

One week after setting a new career high with 297 rushing yards at Cornell College, D'Ambrose was right back at it on the Stagg Field turf. The senior shredded Ripon's defense with 281 yards on 32 carries for an average of 8.8 yards per rush. He compiled all those yards in only three quarters, and tallied nine runs of at least 10 yards.

The first quarter played out relatively quietly for both sides. After scoring on its first possession in each of the past six games, UChicago saw that streak end after an eight-play drive ended with a punt. But a short punt by Ripon put the Maroons in good position on their next possession, which ended with a 22-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Will Goodman.

The tide started to turn definitively to the home side at the end of the first quarter. Senior wide receiver Matt Quaglia snagged a 22-yard reception on the last play of the quarter. Then on the very next play, D'Ambrose broke through the left side of the line and rumbled his way to a 45-yard touchdown to make it 10-0.

The next time UChicago had the ball, D'Ambrose broke off another 45-yard run into the Ripon red zone. Two plays afterwards, senior wide receiver Zack Olson beat his defender on a crossing route in the end zone and reached up to snag a 17-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Philip Martini. Less than five minutes later, the Maroons scored for the third-straight possession when Martini connected with senior wide receiver Elliott Grays for an 11-yard score.

Ripon answered back with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that cut the deficit to 24-7. That score held going into halftime.

The Red Hawks made some inroads midway through the third quarter. But that forward momentum came to an abrupt halt when junior safety Braedon Junker intercepted a pass on the 27-yard line. D'Ambrose continued to churn out yards immediately after, with his 26-yard scamper setting up a 15-yard touchdown run.

Facing a 31-7 disadvantage, the visitors turned the ball over once again on the ensuing possession. A quarterback scramble on fourth down looked to like it would move the chains. But UChicago sophomore linebacker William Skowronski stuck out his left arm and stripped the ball, which was recovered by Junker. Ripon was able to make up for the miscue early in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass on fourth down from 33 yards away.

The final score of the game occurred with 9:17 remaining. A Red Hawks punt deep in their own territory was blocked by sophomore defensive lineman Kourosh Hassibi, and the bouncing ball was scooped up and returned for a 20-yard touchdown by sophomore linebacker Aidan Cappellino. It marked his second touchdown of the season.

UChicago outgained Ripon 478 to 249 in total offense. The Maroons rolled up 325 rushing yards at a healthy 6.5 yards per carry. The Red Hawks threw the ball 41 times but only accrued 138 passing yards. Maroon penalties helped extend Ripon drives, as the home side was whistled for 11 total.

Martini completed 12 of 30 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Quaglia (63 yards) and Olson (33 yards) combined for seven receptions.

Defensively, UChicago hounded Ripon into a 3-for-15 third-down efficiency, along with a 1-for-4 mark on fourth down. The defense caused two turnovers, collected three sacks and broke up six passes.

Skowronski led the way from his linebacker position. He boasted team highs in tackles (11), tackles for loss (2.5) and sacks (2) to go with one forced fumble. Senior defensive end Davis Govrick made seven tackles with one tackle for loss. Senior defensive end George Coyle (one sack) and senior cornerback Makai Robinson tallied six tackles each.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Oct. 30 @ 1:00 PM – UChicago at Grinnell College