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Only a two-hour drive separates a pair of Ohio schools at opposite ends of the college football spectrum.
Oberlin College football, a Division III program, operates in stark contrast to the nearby FBS powerhouse Ohio State. Despite a recent 0-10 season (0-8 in the North Coast Athletic Conference) with lopsided losses like 88-6, 75-0, and 63-0, the team finds moments to celebrate, such as a late touchdown in a 42-13 loss to Wabash. The article highlights the vast resource and player count differences: FBS teams can have up to 105 players with 85 scholarships, while Oberlin often played with fewer than 40, sometimes dropping below 30 due to injuries, forcing many players to compete on both offense and defense. ESPN even ranked Oberlin last among college football programs at 766, contrasting sharply with Ohio State's No. 1 ranking.
Despite their current struggles, Oberlin holds a unique historical link to Ohio State. On October 8, 1921, Oberlin famously defeated Ohio State 7-6, marking the last time the Buckeyes lost to an in-state school, a victory secured by William E. Parkhill's sole touchdown. Beyond this, Oberlin boasts another significant historical claim: it was the very first coaching stop for the legendary John Heisman, who coached the Yeomen in 1892 and again in 1894, long before the Heisman Trophy became a symbol of college football excellence.
The team's current trajectory is guided by third-year head coach John Pont, who holds a 2-28 record. Pont comes from a strong coaching lineage, being the grandson of a revered coach who led Indiana to the Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl in the 1967 season. Having coached across FBS, FCS, D-II, and D-III levels, Pont brings a wealth of experience. He previously served as offensive coordinator at the University of Chicago, where his team set a school record for points, and was an offensive analyst at Indiana before joining Oberlin. He emphasizes that the only difference between D-III and FBS is 'size and speed,' stressing his commitment to 'molding and shaping the lives of young people' through core values developed over his extensive career. He explicitly states he wouldn't trade his current role for the 'big time' FBS environment, valuing the unique coaching experience at Oberlin.
A defining characteristic of the Oberlin football program is its strong sense of community and family. Lineman Judah Moenoa recounted feeling an 'instantaneous family' connection during his recruitment visit, highlighted by the welcoming nature of Coach Pont and team leaders. This ethos was profoundly demonstrated when the team rallied around assistant coach and chief of staff Roseanna Smith after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2025. Players consistently checked on her, a graduating player attended chemotherapy, and Coach Pont accompanied her to important medical appointments. Their collective response, including the act of shaving heads when Coach Smith's hair began to fall out, exemplified their motto: 'nobody fights alone.' Smith's successful surgery and optimistic outlook are a testament to this unwavering support.
Recruiting for a Division III program like Oberlin presents unique challenges, as scholarships are not permitted. The focus shifts to attracting student-athletes who excel both academically (the team's average GPA was 3.52) and athletically. Coach Pont and Athletic Director Natalie Winkelfoos prioritize finding 'the right 38' players who align with the team's values, rather than just filling a large roster. Winkelfoos, a highly successful athletic director and Hall of Famer, views the team as one that 'fights above their weight class,' defining them by 'persistence.' Despite facing defeats, the players maintain motivation, viewing ESPN's last-place ranking as a motivator. Both leadership and players express immense pride in their collective grit and hard work, believing that success will ultimately come to those who persist, reflecting a deeply ingrained belief in the beauty of their struggles.