After an impressive 700th win versus Capital in the home opener, the Tigers went on the road to Delaware, Ohio to take on the Battling Bishops of Ohio Wesleyan for their first game within the NCAC. Both teams came into the game 1-0 but Wittenberg proved to be too much for the home team.
The first quarter ended with the score tied at three a piece with a 20-yard field goal from junior Sean Williams for Wittenberg and a 19-yarder from Nick Chilkov for OWU. Into the second quarter, senior quarterback Ben Zoeller connected with wide receiver Josh McKee for a 28-yard touchdown pass putting the Tigers up 10-3. Minutes later, Williams hit another field goal from 31-yard out making the score 13-3 in favor of Wittenberg.
Ohio Wesleyan then answered back with a 23-yard touchdown pass, closing the deficit to three. The Tigers response was a 37-yard touchdown pass from Zoeller to sophomore Brendon Cunningham. The score remained at 20-10 through a scoreless third quarter.
In the fourth, Ohio Wesleyan would score a field goal but the Tigers offense kept the momentum in Wittenberg’s favor with a touchdown pass from Zoeller to fellow senior Michael Cooper and a rushing score from sophomore quarterback Reed Florence. The clock ran out with the visiting team on top 34-13.
Zoeller finished with 317 yards passing and three touchdowns. Cooper recorded 157 yards receiving and McKee tallied-up 95, both with a touchdown a piece. Defensively, senior linebacker Zach Hurtt led the Tigers with seven solo tackles and 8 assisted. Junior Jon Daniels also played well with three sacks for twelve yards.
The win improves the Tigers record to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. It was the fifth consecutive victory for Wittenberg over the Battling Bishops who fall to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC. Next weekend the Tigers look to continue their success as they travel to Washington University on the 17th.
(Ben Groff / s12.bgroff@wittenberg.edu)
