OAKLAND CITY, Ind. – The Bellarmine University sprint football team routed Oakland City Saturday afternoon at Wood Memorial High School, earning a 43-0 win in their season opener.
 
In his Knights debut, freshman Dylan Morris completed 14 of 18 attempts for 168 yards and two scores, both going to star junior receiver Tyler Smith. Senior Brenden Reid rushed for two more scores and the Knights added a pair of defensive touchdowns in the contest.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, the Knights would crack the scoreboard first with 10:24 left in the second quarter. Oakland City quarterback Jake Miller fumbled the snap out of the shotgun, retreated to the end zone and then threw the ball away. He was flagged for an intentional grounding penalty behind his goal line, resulting in a safety and the first two points of the game for the Knights.
 
Following the free kick, Smith dropped what would have been a wide open 23-yard touchdown reception in the end zone. Morris, however, went back to Smith four plays later for a six-yard score, Bellarmine's first offensive points of the season.
 
The Knights would not wait long to increase their lead. On the second play of Oakland City's ensuing drive, Kori Woods returned an interception 45 yards for another Bellarmine defensive score to make it 16-0.
 
Bellarmine would score yet again on the final play of the half. Morris found Smith again near the front right pylon for a 36-yard score to put the Knights up 23-0 at the break after outgaining the Mighty Oaks 183 to 79, including 150 to 30 through the air.
 
On Oakland City's first drive of the second half, the Knights' Bryce Bullock picked up a fumble and rumbled 30 yards for the second defensive touchdown of the game for Bellarmine to make it 30-0.
 
Continuing to keep their foot on the proverbial gas pedal, a pair of Brenden Reid seven-yard touchdown runs on back-to-back drives would make it 43-0.
 
Head coach Harold Davis would dig into the bench in the fourth quarter to get more guys on offense some work as neither team would score.
 
Smith finished with 103 yards on five grabs while Reid rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries. Reid was also the Knights' second-leading receiver with two receptions for 25 yards.
 
As a team, Bellarmine outgained Oakland City 287 yards to 151.
 
In addition to his pick-six, Woods led the Knights with five solo tackles. The team's defensive effort for the Knights gave them their first shutout since the second game of last season when Bellarmine handled Walsh 37-0 in North Canton, Ohio.
 
Bellarmine hosts Midway in the fifth installment of the Battle of the Bourbon Barrel next Saturday at St. Xavier High School. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. The Knights are 4-0 in the in-state rivalry.
 
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