GRANVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University football team (1-3, 0-3 NCAC) took the short trip southeast to play Denison (3-1, 3-0 NCAC) on Saturday afternoon. The Battling Bishops seemed apt to wreck Family Weekend for the Big Red, holding a 7-0 lead at the half. However, 21 second-half points put the hosts on top 21-14 despite a late push from the Bishops.
Ohio Wesleyan scored the game's only first-half points with 7:28 left in the second quarter. The touchdown came on OWU's fourth drive of the game, following a punt and two turnovers: one interception and one turnover on downs. Junior running back
Reed Wehr rushed for 21 yards on three carries during the nine-play, 60-yard drive, capping it off with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Battling Bishops held Denison to just 39 yards in the first half, forcing two three-and-outs, three punts, and one turnover on downs.
The Big Red started the second half strong with two touchdowns in their first three drives of the half to take a 14-7 lead. Denison increased their lead to 21-7 following a third touchdown with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter.
Ohio Wesleyan struggled to maintain possession in the second half with their first five drives resulting in punts. The Red and Black finally broke through with a 27-yard touchdown reception by junior wide receiver
Jordan Ghant on the sixth drive, pulling back within one possession at 21-14 with 1:55 remaining in the game. Ghant's touchdown closed out a nine-play, 75-yard drive that saw sophomore quarterback
Brady Morrell throw for 65 yards and the TD.
With under two minutes remaining, OWU would attempt an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff but would be unsuccessful. The Bishops stopped Denison on first and second down of the next drive, but a nine-yard run for a first down put the game in the books at 21-14 in favor of the hosts.
OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Red and Black collected 309 yards of total offense, leading with 147 rushing yards and adding 162 passing yards. Senior quarterback
C.J. Jackson was 10-for-22 for 97 yards and one interception, also rushing for 20 yards. Sophomore
Brady Morrell was 4-for-11 for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Giovanni Rufus led the rushing game with 63 yards on 11 carries.
Reed Wehr recorded 28 yards and his first career touchdown on eight carries.
Jordan Ghant was the Bishops' leading receiver with 43 yards and one touchdown on two catches.
Brady Gilligan recorded his first two career catches for a total of 28 yards.
Jordan Bryant also had two receptions, totalling 20 yards.
Stanly Scandell was 2-for-2 on extra points.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Denison finished with 322 yards of total offense, 219 passing and 103 rushing.
Grant Johnson (one solo, five assists) tied his season high of six tackles to lead the Battling Bishops. He also had half of a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
Braydon Pavlus (five assists),
Collin Wehner (one solo, four assists),
Jacob Slyh (one solo, four assists),
Nadir Langston (two solos, three assists),
Braxton Ross (one solo, four assists), and
Brayden Hatcher (one solo, four assists) each finished with five tackles. Langston also had a forced fumble.
Connor Stephens (two solos, two assists),
Connor Asbury (two solos, two assists), and
Vince Eadicicco (one solo, three assists) tallied for tackles apiece. Stephens and Asbury both recorded one tackle for loss. Asbury's TFL was the Bishops' only sack of the game, for a loss of nine yards.
UP NEXT
The Red and Black return to Selby Stadium next weekend for Homecoming. The Battling Bishops will play host to Wooster at 2 p.m. amongst the many festivities of Alumni and Family Weekend, including welcoming the newest class of the OWU Athletics Hall of Fame.
