Posted: Nov 09, 2002
Setting the Scene:
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the pressure continues to mount for the Wittenberg University Tigers. Since the Oct. 12 overtime loss to Wabash College that put the Tigers behind the eight-ball, however, they have been nothing short of outstanding, putting together three outstanding games with the season on the line each time.In the last three weeks, Wittenberg walloped Hiram 77-0, Ohio Wesleyan 58-17 and Allegheny 49-3. OWU and Allegheny both have veteran defensive units that previously ranked among the best in the conference. The Tigers have simply been dominant in positioning themselves for a potential Pool C bid into the NCAA Division III tournament, which begins on Nov. 23 with games at home sites.
Today's game against Kenyon provides an opportunity for Tiger fans to recognize a tremendous senior class that includes 23 student-athletes who have won three NCAC championships, have lost just one conference game in their careers and have won five NCAA Division III playoff games since arriving on campus in 1999. This year's senior class is one of the most successful and talented in school history, and a number of them have been instrumental in posting potentially record-setting offensive numbers during the 2002 season.
Kenyon is a struggling program with a 1-8 overall record and a mark of 1-5 in the NCAC. With just 35 players on the active roster - but less than that number in terms of healthy bodies at this late date in the 2002 season - the Lords are most handicapped by depth and youth. Led by several solid defensive performers, especially All-NCAC linebacker Casey McConnell, the Lords did post their first victory of the season two weeks ago against Hiram, 22-10.
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Co-Captain
Adam McClain |
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Co-Captain
Daniel Grove |
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Co-Captain
John Hauser |
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Co-Captain
Allen D'Andrea |
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Co-Captain
Andy Pope |
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Co-Captain
Greg Cornett |
Senior Recognition Day:
Twenty-three student-athletes will be playing their final regular season home football game this weekend as they take the field against Kenyon. They are: offensive linemanTony Banich, fullback Trent Coffman,quarterback Greg Cornett, wide receiverAdrian Crane, defensive lineman Allen D'Andrea, defensive back Dane Dudley,linebacker Gary George, linebacker Dustin Goldsbury, linebacker Ryan Gresham,running back Daniel Grove, defensive backJohn Hauser, wide receiver Tim Horn,defensive lineman Lloyd Hudson, defensive lineman Jim Lackmeyer, defensive backDeAron Long, offensive lineman Adam McClain, wide receiver Josh McCoy,defensive back Geoffrey Moorehead, wide receiver Jon Mulvihill, linebacker Andy Pope, tight end Erich Schoeneberger,running back Jason Stephan and defensive back Andy Waddle.Over the last four years, the Tigers have a regular season record of 36-2 and an overall record of 41-5, including a mark of 5-3 in the NCAA Division III playoffs and a 25-1 record in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Wittenberg has won three NCAC titles and made the NCAA Elite Eight each of the last two years, falling to eventual national champion Mount Union in each case.
QB Makes His Move:
Senior quarterback Greg Cornett has put up even bigger numbers in 2002 than he did in his first season as the starter under center. Through eight games, Cornett has 124 completions in 192 attempts for 1,814 yards and 15 touchdowns, keeping him on pace to eclipse several school records - completions in a season (141 by Tim Green in 1987), attempts (240 by Tim Green in 1987) and passing yards (2,181 by Charlie Green in 1964). Cornett is averaging 15.5 completions, 24.0 attempts and 226.8 yards per game.Cornett's 2001 numbers rank second-best in school history in all three categories for a season. His 2002 numbers currently place him fifth in passing yards, just behind the 1,856 yards that Anthony Crane had in 2000 and the 1,869 that Shaun Brown posted in 1997.
For his career, Cornett has 3,684 passing yards, 264 completions and 421 attempts, ranking him fifth, fifth and sixth on the respective school record lists. Charlie Green, who recently was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., leads in all three with 5,575 yards, 555 attempts and 325 completions. It's unlikely Cornett will catch any of those records, but he will almost certainly move into the top four in each.
Next up on the career passing list for Cornett is No. 4 Gene Laughman, who threw for 3,878 yards in 26 games between 1964 and 1967.
Cornett Part II:
As if that wasn't enough about Cornett, there are some other records he is approaching. As he continues to shred opposing defense, Cornett's efficiency rating has climbed to 164.52 and his completion percentage has crept up to a school-record 64.6. The conference record for efficiency is 176.0 by Allegheny's Kyle Adamson in 1996 and the mark for completion percentage is 67.9, also by Adamson, in 1995.Record-Setting Pace:
Tiger gridiron fans are used to lots of points, but the 2002 edition is wearing out even the well-worn Edwards-Maurer Field scoreboard. Wittenberg has scored at least 31 points in every game this year and is averaging 49.0 per game, second-best in the nation. In NCAC action, the Tigers have been even more prolific, posting scoring totals of 53, 43, 77, 58 and 49 points.The starting offensive unit has scored touchdowns on more than 57 percent of its drives (44 of 77). Including drives that have ended in field goals, the starting offense has successfully converted possessions into points 64 percent of the time. Since the start of the second half against Wabash, the Tiger offense has scored touchdowns on 24 of 35 drives (75 percent) and points - including two field goals - on 26 of 37 of its drives (81 percent).
Not only are numerous school records in jeopardy with this record-setting offensive barrage, but the NCAC record book is under assault as well. Wittenberg holds the record for points (473) and points after touchdowns (56) in 1997 and 1995 respectively, and this year's squad is approaching both.
Tigers on the Radio:
Wittenberg is blessed with outstanding radio coverage again in 2002, as Marty Bannister heads things up for a 10th straight year. He can be found on the radio dial in the same location, 1600 AM, but with new call letters. Formerly WBLY, the radio home for the Tigers is now WULM.Bannister is joined in the booth by former Tiger All-American offensive lineman Xan Smith, who provides color commentary, while Scott Leo patrols the sidelines to provide insight and commentary for a third consecutive season.
All season long, WULM hosts weekly radio shows that focus on local sports and even Wittenberg athletic teams specifically. On Wednesdays, Leo hosts a sports show that includes interviews and analysis on high school and college sports teams other than football. On Thursdays, following a high school football show, Bannister hosts Tiger Talk, which includes interviews and analysis with Wittenberg Head Coach Joe Fincham and his players and assistant coaches.
The Rankings:
Wittenberg opened the 2002 season at No. 4 in the first American Football Coaches Association poll, released on Sept. 17. The Tigers remained in that position until three weeks ago, when they fell to the 16th following the loss to Wabash. Wittenberg is back to 12th in the nation in that poll, while Don Hansen's National Football Gazette ranks the Tigers No. 13 currently.Prior to the season, Wittenberg was ranked No. 7 in three preseason polls (Street & Smith's, Lindy's and Don Hansen's National Football Gazette) and No. 5 by d3football.com. The Tigers finished the 2001 season ranked No. 6 in the AFCA poll and No. 7 in Don Hansen's.
Series History:
This is the 33rd meeting between Wittenberg and Kenyon, but the first in the last two years. Each year, the Tigers do not play two teams in the conference, and Kenyon was in that rotation a year ago based on a power-rated schedule.The all-time series stands at 23-7-2 in favor of Wittenberg, with the Tigers outscoring the Lords 746-258. Wittenberg has won 17 straight games in the series, including all 11 meetings since the Tigers joined the NCAC in 1989. Kenyon's last win over Wittenberg came in 1914 by a 12-0 count. The last non-Wittenberg victory was recorded in 1921 when the two teams played a 0-0 barnburner. The closest game between Wittenberg and Kenyon since that 1921 tie was a 21-14 decision in the Tigers' favor in 1989. Other than that, no game has been decided by less than 20 points, and Wittenberg has six shutouts in that span.
Around the NCAC Today:
Week 10 of the 2002 season features five NCAC games, all slated for 1 p.m.: Earlham at Allegheny, Ohio Wesleyan at Oberlin, Wabash at Hiram and this game between Wittenberg and Kenyon.Toys For Tots:
Representatives of the Wittenberg Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and the United State Marine Corp Reserve will be collecting new toys and/or donations for the Toys for Tots program during Saturday's game against Kenyon. This is an annual Christmas program of the U.S. Marine Corps in which toys are distributed to less fortunate families in the area.The toys and/or donations will be collected at each entrance between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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Conference Statistics:
As a team, Wittenberg leads the NCAC in scoring offense (49.0 ppg), scoring defense (13.3 ppg), passing defense (153.6 ypg), total offense (471.1 ypg) and punt returns (12.5 ypg). The Tigers rank second in passing offense (255.1 ypg), total defense (245.1 ypg) and rushing defense (91.6 ypg), punting (33.1 yards per punt), pass efficiency (145.3). In addition, Wittenberg is third in rushing offense (216.0).Individually, wide receiver Skip Ivery leads the conference in receiving yards per game (83.7), freshman defensive back Mike Freeman is tops in punt returns at a whopping 21.2 yard average and tailback Daniel Grove leads in scoring (18.4 ppg). Quarterback Greg Cornett ranks second in passing yards per game (226.1) and total offense (223.6). Grove is second in rushing yards per game (143.6) and all-purpose yards per game (160.8).
Conference Statistics:
As a team, Wittenberg leads the NCAC in scoring offense (49.0 ppg), scoring defense (12.0 ppg), passing defense (139.5 ypg), total offense (472.2 ypg) and punt returns (12.0 ypg). The Tigers rank second in passing offense (255.1 ypg), total defense (253.4 ypg) and rushing defense (92.6 ypg), punting (33.4 yards per punt) and pass efficiency (158.6). In addition, Wittenberg is third in rushing offense (218.9).Individually, wide receiver Skip Ivery leads the conference in receiving yards per game (84.2), freshman defensive back Mike Freeman is tops in punt returns at a 21.2 yard average, tailback Daniel Grove leads in scoring (18.4 ppg) and sophomore kicker Jacob Thomas is tied for first in points by kicking with 6.0 per game. Quarterback Greg Cornett ranks second in passing yards per game (226.8) and total offense (226.9). Grove is second in rushing yards per game (143.6) and all-purpose yards per game (160.8).
National Statistics:
Wittenberg ranks No. 8 in total offense (472.3 ypg), No. 13 in total defense (232.1 ypg), No. 26 in rushing offense (218.9 ypg), No. 24 in rushing defense (92.6 ypg), No. 39 in passing offense (253.4 ypg), No. 21 in pass efficiency defense (84.5 rating), No. 13 in scoring defense (12.0 yards per game) and No. 3 in scoring offense (49.0 ppg).Individually, Daniel Grove no longer is included in the national rankings because he has missed the last three games. His rushing average of 143.6 yards per game still ranks among the best in the nation and he would still rank No. 1 in scoring at 18.4 points per game. Mike Freeman would rank first in punt returns (21.2 ypg) if he hadn't missed the last two games with a knee injury. As mentioned previously,Greg Cornett stands at No. 6 on the pass efficiency list (164.5 rating).
Record Pace:
Wittenberg has made a habit of jumping on its opponents early in games, outscoring its first eight opponents 116-6 in the first quarter. The Tigers have not given up a first-quarter touchdown and have outscored opponents by a whopping 392-96 margin overall.Fast Starts:
Wittenberg has made a habit of jumping on its opponents early in games, outscoring its first eight opponents 116-6 in the first quarter. The Tigers have not given up a first-quarter touchdown and have outscored opponents by a whopping 392-96 margin overall.|
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Daniel Grove
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Up The Charts:
Up The Charts: Senior tailback Daniel Grove rambled for 717 yards on 95 carries in the first five games of the season before suffering a broken foot against Wabash. Grove's 1,260 yards rushing last year ranks eighth in Wittenberg history for rushing yards in a season and moved his career totals to 1,942 yards on 329 carries. In combination with his performance in 2002, Grove has moved to No. 8 in school history in rushing yards with 2,663.His average yards per carry of 6.3 is a school record, and he has also moved to No. 2 all-time in scoring with 46 touchdowns and two-point conversion for 278 career points.
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Joe Fincham
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The Coaches:
Wittenberg is led by Joe Fincham, a 1988 graduate of Ohio University. Entering his seventh season at the helm, Fincham has a 70-8 overall record, including a mark of 46-3 in the NCAC and a regular season record of 64-4. His teams have claimed the last five conference titles, including four straight outright with undefeated records. Fincham, who ranks second in winning percentage in NCAA Division III history among coaches with five or more seasons, has been named NCAC Coach of the Year each of the last four seasons.Kenyon is led by Vince Arduini, who arrived on campus in 1995 after serving as an assistant coach at Harvard for nine years. He is a former standout player at Norwich, where he earned numerous honors in 1975 and '76 as captain of the team. A member of Norwich's Athletic Hall of Fame, Arduini has a record of 20-58-1 in eight seasons at Kenyon.