CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The Ohio Wesleyan football team hit the road Saturday morning for a conference matchup against Wabash. The teams were knotted at seven after the first quarter, but Wabash pulled away in the second, scoring twice and adding two field goals on the way to a 44–27 win.

OWU falls to 1-4 on the season, 0-3 in NCAC play. Wabash improves to 5-1, 3-1 in conference. 

Wabash struck first with seven minutes left in the opening period, as quarterback Brand Campbell took it in himself from three yards out. Four minutes later, the Bishops responded, as Chanden Lee found Austin Koslow who would take it 79 yards for OWU's longest play of the season so far, evening the contest at seven. 

Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Wabash found the endzone again, as Campbell delivered through the air. Wabash tacked on three more later in the period, taking a 17-7 lead. The Red and Black quickly responded, as Devon Haley capped off an efficient drive with a four yard rush, shrinking the Wabash lead to three. With just over a minute left before halftime, Campbell delivered once more, throwing a 47 yard touchdown to push the lead back to 10. OWU would ultimately turn the ball over on downs with just 21 seconds left at the Wabash 45 yard line. The Little Giants took advantage of the turnover, gaining 29 yards in just 13 seconds and tacking on a field goal, making the halftime score 27-14. 

After the break Wabash continued to execute, as Cole Dickerson added seven more via a 22 yard rushing touchdown. The Bishops would find the endzone later in the quarter, as Lee connected with Josh Hurst for a ten yard touchdown pass, making the score 34-20 heading to the fourth quarter. 

Wabash took their opening drive deep into OWU territory where it would ultimately stall, but the Little Giants notched three more as Brody Rucker recorded his third field goal in the contest. The Red and Black looked to spark a late comeback, as Lee found Quin Schroeder for a three yard touchdown pass, making it a two score game with eight to play. The Little Giants would chew the clock with a seven minute drive resulting in a nine yard rushing touchdown, bolstering their lead to 17. The Bishops were unable to respond, leaving the final scoreline 44-27. 

THE NUMBERS
Ohio Wesleyan had 408 total yards, 358 through the air and 50 on the ground. Wabash finished with 543 total yards, 303 passing and 240 rushing.

Chanden Lee led the OWU offense with 342 all purpose yards. He was 19-for-31 passing for a total of 337 yards – including a 79-yard bomb to Austin Koslow for the Bishops' longest play of the season – and three touchdowns, all season highs. He also rushed for five yards. C.J. Jackson was 3-for-6 passing for 21 yards.

Reddik Pillarelli led the receiving corps with 11 catches for 183 yards, both career highs. Austin Koslow made two catches for a career-high 100 yards and one touchdown, the touchdown being the longest offensive play for OWU this season. Bryan Hines Jr. made two catches for 32 yards. Josh Hurst had three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. Quin Schroeder secured two catches for nine yards and a touchdown.

Grant Johnson led the defense with a career-high 20 tackles (eight solo), the most by a Bishop in a single game this season. Chris Burns followed with a career-high 15 tackles (seven solo). John Banks Jr. made a season-high 11 tackles (six solo). Kevin King accounted for eight tackles (three solo).

The Bishops totaled four tackles for loss led by Jack Novak with two, including the only sack for the Red and Black. King and Jacob Lowry each had one, with Joseph Seney and Brayden Hatcher splitting the last.

UP NEXT
The Bishops are back at home for Senior Day and Community Day next Saturday, October 18th as they host Wooster at 1 p.m.