DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University football team (2-3, 1-3 NCAC) hosted Wooster (1-4, 1-3 NCAC) on Saturday as generations of Bishops returned to campus for Alumni & Family Weekend. It was a low-scoring affair that saw the Battling Bishops score a touchdown in each the first and fourth quarters, shutting down the Scots defensively en route to a 14-0 win.
Ohio Wesleyan started the game with some trickeration and recovered a surprise onside kick to steal the opening possession. Spurred on by the positive outcome, OWU used eight plays to gain the remaining 40 yards to paydirt and take a 7-0 lead.
Will Kepple capped off the scoring drive with his second touchdown reception of the season on a four-yard pass from
Brady Morrell.
The Bishops defense then started showing its prowess, holding the Scots scoreless in six first-half drives, including two three-and-outs. Three of those drives ended in turnovers – one of each variety – with an interception by
Connor Stephens ending the second drive, a fumble recovery by
Ya'Va Harris ending the fourth drive, and a turnover on downs ending the the fifth drive.
Despite some defensive momentum, the OWU offense struggled to capitalize with only two ensuing drives making it into Wooster territory. Ohio Wesleyan's fourth drive of the game marched as far as the Scots' 28 yard line but stalled out and resulted in a turnover on downs.
Wooster decided to take a play out of the Bishops' playbook to start the second half, recovering their own onside kick to start the third quarter with the ball. It was a fruitless gesture, however, as
Vicean Sample picked off a pass in the end zone six plays later to keep the Scots scoreless.
Sample's was the first of three second-half interceptions for the Red and Black, with the second coming on Wooster's next drive courtesy of
Braydon Pavlus. Unfortunately, the Battling Bishops would give it right back, throwing an interception of their own at the Wooster 31 yard line. Again, OWU's defense responded and forced a three-and-out, leading to the Bishops' second scoring drive of the day.
Ohio Wesleyan would maintain a monster drive from the end of the third quarter into the start of the fourth, putting together 15 plays – primarily rushes – for 65 yards.
Giovanni Rufus capped off the push with a one-yard scuttle into the end zone to make it a 14-0 ballgame.
The Red and Black collapsed Wooster's offense on their remaining three drives, starting with back-to-back three-and-outs in which the Scots totaled -12 yards, and ending with a game-sealing interception by Pavlus – his second of the day.
OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Red and Black collected 293 yards of total offense, leading with 212 rushing yards and adding 81 passing yards. Sophomore quarterback
Brady Morrell made his first career start, throwing for 55 yards and one touchdown on 6-of-19 attempts and adding five yards on the ground. Sophomore
Jalen Slaughter was 2-of-6 for 26 yards.
Giovanni Rufus led the rushing game with 106 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.
Dorian Hamilton toted the ball 12 times for a net of 43 yards.
Reed Wehr rushed for 37 yards on 10 attempts.
Mysaun Sanders recorded 24 yards on five rushes.
Brady Gilligan was OWU's leading receiver with a season-high 30 yards on two receptions.
Will Kepple also pulled in two catches for 15 yards and one touchdown.
Chase Adam and
Jordan Bryant each had one catch for 14 and 13 yards respectively.
Stanly Scandell was 2-for-2 on extra points.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Ohio Wesleyan held Wooster to 146 total yards with 60 rushing and 86 passing. The Scots were 2-of-13 on third downs and had to punt six times.
Jacob Slyh,
Carson Rust, and
Grant Johnson led the defensive front with six tackles each, all assists. Rust recorded 0.5 sacks for a loss of two yards. Slyh collected 1.5 tackles for loss and had one pass breakup.
Miles Theetge (three solos, one assist),
Shakil Young (four assists),
Connor Asbury (one solo, three assists),
Vince Eadicicco (four assists), and
Lucas Ward (one solo, three assists) all finished with four tackles. Asbury recorded 1.5 sacks for a total loss of 10 yards. Eadicicco, Ward, and Theetge each had a tackle for loss.
Braydon Pavlus,
Connor Stephens, and
Vicean Sample combined for the Bishops' four interceptions. Pavlus had two picks, returning for 13 yards, and one pass breakup. Stephens had one interception, returning for 14 yards, and one pass breakup. Sample collected the remaining pickoff, returning for four yards.
UP NEXT
The Battling Bishops take their bye week next week, returning to action on October 17 at home at 1 p.m. against Wittenberg.
