Box Score
Wittenberg 24, Ohio Wesleyan 23
Sophomore quarterback Austin Womack (Hurricane, W.Va.) connected with senior wide receiver Kenny Streb (Willowick/Eastlake North) on a 20-yard scoring play that gave Ohio Wesleyan a fourth-quarter lead, but Wittenberg kicked a field goal with :07 left in regulation time to escape with a North Coast Athletic Conference win on Saturday at Selby Stadium.
The Bishops trailed, 21-14, entering the fourth quarter, but back-to-back 16-yard completions from Womack to junior wide receiver J.T. Dozier (Dayton/Huber Heights Wayne) moved the ball into Tiger territory, and another Womack-to-Dozier strike picked up 22 yards for a first down at the 20-yard line. Three straight carries by sophomore running back T.J. Weems (Inverness, Fla./Citrus) put the ball on the Wittenberg 5-yard line, setting up a 22-yard field goal by senior kicker Gabe Philhower (Reynoldsburg) that narrowed the deficit to 21-17.
On third down of the Tigers' ensuing series, Bobby Froehlich's pass was intercepted by sophomore defensive end Marquel Henry (Dayton/Chaminade Julienne) at the Wittenberg 31. Weems carried for 11 yards and Womack found Streb for the remaining 20 and the go-ahead touchdown. Philhower's extra-point try was blocked by Wittenberg's Conner Walls, leaving the score at 23-21.
Ohio Wesleyan forced a punt on Wittenberg's next possession and appeared to be driving for some insurance. Weems burst free for 30 yards on the first play of the drive, and Womack found senior split end Michael Craider (Middleburg Heights/Parma Padua Franciscan) at the first-down marker on a third-and-12 call from the Wittenberg 42. A 10-yard run by sophomore tight end Hunter Swetokos (East Lake, Fla.) moved the chains again, but on third-and-3 from the Tiger 13, the ball came loose and was recovered by Wittenberg's Logan Jewsikow with 2:20 left in regulation time.
Froehlich found Sam Kayser for 10 yards on third-and-4 to move the chains, then picked up first downs with completions of 25 yards and 17 yards to Jake Saus. A Froehlich-to-Kayser connection picked up 10 more yards and a Bryce Anderson carry moved the ball to the Ohio Wesleyan 2-yard line. Brandon Goodwin came on for a 19-yard field goal try and made the kick with :07 remaining.
Wittenberg had taken a 14-0 lead on a 52-yard interception return by Jordan Burkey and a 15-yard pass from Froehlich to Saus.
The Bishops came back behind Womack, who connected with Streb on a 24-yard scoring play to put Ohio Wesleyan on the board, then found Dozier on a 8-yard pass with :31 left in the first half. Philhower's conversion kick evened the score at 14 at the intermission.
Wittenberg took the lead on Froehlich's 15-yard scoring pass to Gene Nobles during the final minute of the third quarter.
Womack completed 15 of 21 passes for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dozier made 8 catches for 123 yards and a score, while Streb had 6 receptions for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns. Weems led the Bishops with 79 yards on 24 carries. Senior safety Braydon Chitty (Lewis Center/Olentangy) and junior defensive tackle Travis Sanders (Mount Gilead/Thomas Worthington) had 9 stops apiece for Ohio Wesleyan, with senior linebacker Cody Streit (Griffin, Ga.) adding 8 tackles.
Froehlich completed 18 of 32 throws for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns, with Nobles catching 7 passes for 80 yards. Anderson picked up 50 yards on 15 carries. Conner Walls, Mike Knock, and Cameron Snurr had 8 tackles apiece.
Box Score
