USAFOOTBALL.COM Game Report

Wooster forces fumble in final minute to secure fourth win

by Hugh Howard, Sports Information Director, Wooster

WOOSTER, OHIO - The College of Wooster defense, led by senior middle linebacker Seth Duerr (Bolivar, Ohio / Tuscarawas Valley), held Ohio Wesleyan University to just 89 total yards of offense and zero points in the second half, and forced a fumble at the Wooster 19-yard line on a 4th-and-1 play with 45 seconds remaining to seal a 21-14 win for the Fighting Scots in North Coast Athletic Conference play. Wooster (4-0, 2-0 NCAC) trailed the Battling Bishops (2-2, 0-1 NCAC) at halftime by a 14-7 score and had allowed 145 yards rushing on 34 carries. But in the second stanza, Ohio Wesleyan's rushing attack was limited to just 45 yards on 17 attempts. Duerr, a two-time All-American, was outstanding again, recording 16 tackles, including 14 solos and two for losses, and forcing the aforementioned fumble. The defensive effort enabled the Scot offense, which managed only 107 yards of total offense in the first half, to get on track with better field position. On its second possession of the third quarter, Wooster needed just three plays to go 49 yards in 1:00, capped by a 30-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Rob Hooper (Mount Vernon, Ohio / Mount Vernon), which tied the game 14-14. With 10:41 to play in the fourth period, the Scots started at their own 41-yard line. On 2nd-and-9, senior Justin Abraham (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Edward) threw a pass down the left sideline that looked like it was going to be intercepted by Kevin Kline. The pass tipped off of his hands, however, and into the arms of junior Chris Cabot (West Lafayette, Ohio/ Ridgewood), who gained 46 yards before being tackled at the Ohio Wesleyan 12-yard line. On the ensuing play, sophomore tailback Scott Jones (Uhrichsville, Ohio / Tuscarawas Central Catholic) raced around the right corner and into the end zone to give Wooster a 21-14 lead with 9:44 remaining. Just over five minutes later, the Bishops started at their own 36-yard line and methodically moved the ball into Wooster territory. A nine-yard pass from Mike Jonesco to Brian Cromwell set up a 3rd-and-1 for Ohio Wesleyan on the Scot 19-yard line. Jonesco tried to hit Cromwell again in the left flat, but sophomore Nick Hajjar (Prospect, Ohio / Marion Pleasant) broke up the pass. On fourth down, the Bishops ran an option to the left, but the pitch, which was hurried by pressure from sophomore Drew Fay (Walnut Creek, Calif. / Northgate), was somewhat behind Bernie Vendlinksi, and as he turned up field, he was stripped by Duerr. Hajjar, who earlier in the game had an interception, recovered the ball, and the win was preserved. Wooster got on the board first when Abraham scrambled three yards for a touchdown with 3:57 to play in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a 51-yard screen pass to Jones, who broke several tackles on his way to the Ohio Wesleyan six-yard line. The second quarter belonged to the Bishops, who scored touchdowns on consecutive drives. Vendlinski capped a 51-yard scoring drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, then Jonesco connected with Cromwell on a 19-yard touchdown pass, which gave Ohio Wesleyan a 14-7 lead. Statistically, Hooper rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries, while Jones gained 57 yards on 17 carries. Abraham completed 11-of-20 passes for 175 yards and one interception. Sophomore Darryl Simmons (Marietta, Ohio / Marietta) caught a career-high five passes for 58 yards. For the Bishops, Vendlinski had 25 carries for 114 yards, while Jonesco completed 8-of-18 passes for 79 yards and one interception. With the win, first-year head coach Mike Schmitz became just the third Wooster coach ever and the first since 1926 to win his first four games. Also noteworthy, senior Seth Mastrine (Apple Creek, Ohio / Waynedale) became Wooster's all-time leader in punt return yardage. He now has 796 yards, surpassing Tim Jackson, who totaled 791 career punt return yards from 1977-80. Next Saturday (Oct. 7), Wooster remains at home to face Wabash College, while Ohio Wesleyan hosts Earlham College.

Where are the D-III 20th Century All Stars? Where is the NCAA Division III 20th Century All American Team? As usual, the student/athletes who have played the game for fun have been ignored by everyone who has selected Teams of the Century - but that will be corrected by usafootball.com. See story.....

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