DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan football team celebrated senior day on Saturday as they hosted Wooster in a NCAC showdown. The Battling Bishops trailed 24-7 at the half, but would strike up a comeback, going on a 13-0 run and trailing by just four with 11 minutes to play. The Red and Black comeback would ultimately come up short, as a fumble at the goal line with just 19 seconds to play made the final scoreline 24-20. 

Ohio Wesleyan falls to 1-5 on the year, with a 0-4 record in the NCAC. Wooster improves to 4-3, and 3-2 in conference play. 

Prior to kickoff, the Bishops honored their 15 seniors for their dedication and contributions to the football program. Those recognized were Abram Beer, Aiden Bricker, Dom Costa, Blake Dichler, Evan Dunham, Devon Haley, A.J. Hanslik, Bryan Hines Jr., Lane Howard, Josh Hurst,  J.T. James, Kevin King, Chanden Lee, Jacob Lowry, and Jake Smothers.

Wooster wasted no time getting on the board, stringing together an eight-minute, 13-play opening drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown pass. Wooster's touchdown stood as the only points in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Fighting Scots tacked on three more, as a drive stalled at the OWU 13 leading to a 30-yard field goal. Just three minutes later Wooster would find the endzone again, as a 14-yard touchdown pass pushed the lead to 17-0. The Red and Black responded with two minutes before the break, as quarterback C.J. Jackson found Quin Schroeder downfield for a 34-yard touchdown strike. Wooster took advantage of the time left before halftime, as they notched seven more via a three-yard touchdown pass. The Fighting Scots led the Bishops 24-7 at the half. 

The Battling Bishops ignited a hopeful comeback in the third quarter, as Jackson connected with Austin Koslow for a 20-yard touchdown, shrinking the lead to 10. 

In the final period of play, sophomore Collin Wehner intercepted a pass from Wooster's Michael Boyle, and took it to the house for his first career pick-six, bringing the Bishops to within four with 11 minutes to play. The OWU defense then found themselves backed up against their own endzone with just under two minutes to play, as Wooster looked to close out the game with seven more. However, the Red and Black defense would get a huge stop on fourth and goal from the four, as Jack Novak brought the quarterback down 11 yards behind the line of scrimmage and gave the Bishops one last chance. 

OWU ran the two minute drill effectively, as they quickly marched down the field, hoping to find the endzone and complete the comeback. The Bishops would ultimately fumble at the two yard line and the Wooster defense jumped on it in the endzone, resulting in a touchback with 19 seconds to play. 

The Fighting Scots took a knee, and held off the Bishops for a 24-20 victory. 

THE NUMBERS
Ohio Wesleyan had 354 total yards, 224 through the air and 132 on the ground. Wooster finished with 304 total yards, 238 passing and 66 rushing.

C.J. Jackson led the OWU offense with 231 all purpose yards. He ended 18-for-35 passing with 224 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded seven rushing yards.

Quin Schroeder led the receiving corps with three catches for a season-high 57 yards and a touchdown. Josh Hurst hauled in five catches for 53 yards. Reddik Pillarelli made three catches for 42 yards. Austin Koslow had three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. 
  
Mysaun Sanders led the Bishops on the ground, tallying 10 attempts for 57 yards, followed closely by Devon Haley who had nine attempts for 35 yards, and Chanden Lee taking it four times for 44 yards.

Grant Johnson led the defense once again with 10 tackles (five solo). John Banks Jr. followed with eight tackles (three solo). Joseph Seney recorded seven tackles. Chris Burns, Kevin King and Brayden Hatcher accounted for six tackles (one solo) each.

Collin Wehner recorded the second interception for the Bishops and first pick-six of the season. 

The Bishops totaled four tackles for loss led by Jack Novak with one and a half, including one sack for the Red and Black. Grant Johnson and Carson Rust each split the sack. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops travel to Kenyon next Saturday, October 25th as they look to get their first NCAC win at 1 p.m.