DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University football team (5-4, 4-4 NCAC) hosted No. 7/8 WashU (9-0, 8-0 NCAC) on Saturday at Selby Stadium. Three second-half touchdowns were not enough for the Bishops to overcome a 14-3 deficit, ending 45-24 in favor of the Bears.
It was senior day for the Battling Bishops, celebrating seniors
Jordan Ghant,
C.J. Jackson,
Kenny Thompson Jr.,
Bryce Johnson,
Grant Johnson,
Maxton Brunner,
Will Kepple,
Connor Asbury,
Vince Eadicicco,
Carson Rust,
Tyler Fuchs,
Ryan Greenhalge,
Christopher Grant III,
Ya'Va Harris,
Mike Seney,
Daymeon Pennington,
Nathan Dacek,
Justin Beekman,
Braden Fitchko, and
Brayden Hatcher prior to kickoff.
WashU took a 7-0 lead on the opening drive, going 73 yards in five plays for the only score of the first quarter. OWU had a chance to retaliate following a 14-play 69-yard drive that started after a
Collin Wehner interception in the endzone, but failed to convert on fourth down on the WashU 11. The Bears added another touchdown at the 8:29 mark of the second quarter, taking a 14-0 lead on the following eight-play 89-yard drive.
Ohio Wesleyan's only points of the half came on a 28-yard field goal by
Stanly Scandell to cut the lead to 10 with 1:54 remaining in the second quarter. The 10-point deficit was short-lived as WashU hit a 27-yard field goal with time expiring to take a 14-point 17-3 advantage into the break.
The Bears started the second half with back-to-back touchdown runs to extend their lead to 31-3 with 4:00 left in the third quarter. Just 29 seconds later,
C.J. Jackson connected with
Quin Schroeder on a 65-yard pass for OWU's first touchdown of the afternoon.
The fourth quarter started with a similar long play as WashU went 78 yards on their opening play of the period for a rushing touchdown, making it a 38-10 game. Again, the Red and Black responded quickly with
Jordan Ghant making a 47-yard break for the endzone on the first play of the ensuing drive, taking just 17 seconds to make it 38-17.
The two sides traded touchdowns one last time before the end of the game, starting with a seven-yard score for WashU. Schroeder ended the day with a 26-yard reception from Jacson that found the endzone, leaving the final at 45-24.
OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
C.J. Jackson was 22-of-33 passing for a season-high 269 yards and two touchdowns, also running for 40 yards on seven rushing attempts. He was at the center of the OWU offense that achieved 396 yards, 16 first downs, and three touchdowns.
Jordan Ghant was the leading rusher for the Red and Black, breaking his only attempt for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Dorian Hamilton had 20 yards on six carries.
Giovanni Rufus ran five times for 14 yards.
Quin Schroeder was Ohio Wesleyan's leading receiver with a career-high 94 yards on three catches and a career-high two touchdowns. Ghant made four grabs for 55 yards. Hamilton and
Jordan Bryant both finished with four catches and 39 yards each.
Stanly Scandell remained perfect on the season, going 3-for-3 on extra points and knocking through his first career field goal – a 28-yarder.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
WashU recorded 585 yards – 371 rushing and 214 passing – and six touchdowns with 24 first downs. The Bears had one pass picked off – by
Collin Wehner.
Wehner led the Red and Black and set a career high for tackles for the second straight week, tallying 12 with seven solos and five assists.
Grant Johnson finished with 11 tackles – four solos and seven assists.
Connor Stephens had eight tackles, followed by
Braydon Pavlus and
Miles Theetge with seven each.
Jacob Slyh and
Vince Eadicicco both finished with five. Pavlus also had a pass breakup.
UP NEXT
The Battling Bishops look to finish the season with six wins for the first time since 2022 next week at Kenyon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
