The Wittenberg football team may be finding its stride at just the right time. After starting the season with three straight losses, the Tigers have put together back-to-back strong performances to open the North Coast Athletic Conference race with wins over Denison and Earlham.
The Tigers' defense, which had allowed 133 points in the first three games, has played a key role in the resurgence. Wittenberg held Denison to less than 300 yards of total offense and just six points on a first-quarter touchdown and then Earlham gained just over 200 yards of total offense, including 60 on one play, in a 48-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.
Junior safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) has been outstanding, leading the team in tackles the first three weeks (and for the season overall) and taking the conference lead with three interceptions on the season. Against Earlham, Fonseca returned two interceptions a combined 60 yards.
Also of note has been the play of junior linebacker Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian), who has led the Tigers in tackles each of the last two weeks after missing two games, and senior defensive tackle Tyler Jenkins (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm), who had a seven tackles, including six solos, against Earlham. Both were career highs.
Against Earlham, the Tigers welcomed back senior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda), who was injured in the first game of the season. Holmes split time with junior quarterback Geron Stokes (Urbana, Ohio/Urbana), combining for a season-high 247 yards through the air.
Offensively, the backfield tandem of senior tailback Tristan Murray (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) and sophomore fullback Andy Vanover (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) led the way. Murray, the leading rusher and scorer in the NCAC, ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns against Earlham. Vanover enjoyed a career day, rushing for 36 yards on 11 carries and catching three passes for 90 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown reception.