SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The old saying that offense sells tickets but defense wins games certainly applies. After three weeks of defensive struggles against outstanding nonconference opponents - and then a bye week to get things in order - the Wittenberg Tigers used a key stand late in the second quarter to springboard to a 31-6 victory over visiting Denison.

It was the North Coast Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Wittenberg won for the 16th straight year against the Big Red to improve to 1-3 on the season, while Denison fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the NCAC.

Denison actually struck first in this game, parlaying a defensive stand on Wittenberg's first possession and a couple of untimely Tiger penalties into a nifty 30-yard scoring strike from quarterback Larry Cappetto to tight end Frank Roe. Cappetto released the ball just before taking a big hit and Roe laid out for it just as he crossed the end line with two Tiger defenders on his back.

Wittenberg responded with a 28-yard Mark Porter field goal and then seemed to progressively find its defensive footing. The Tigers took the lead four minutes into the second quarter on a nine-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Tristan Murray and then did the bend but don't break thing, allowing Denison a nine-play, 72-yard drive that came to an end at the Tiger four-yard-line with just 24 seconds left in the first half.

From that point, it was all Wittenberg. The 10-6 halftime lead was extended to 11 points on a three-yard Murray burst after the Tigers forced a three-and-out on the Big Red's opening second-half possession. Then after another three-play series, Denison's punt was returned 70 yard to paydirt by senior wide receiver Jered Glover and the Tiger faithful was officially breathing easily.

Murray capped the scoring by bulling into the end zone from two yards out to cap a back-breaking 17-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 8:34 off the clock.

Wittenberg was hardly an offensive juggernaut, but the Tigers did just enough with 313 total yards, including 120 on the ground for Murray, who has topped the 100-yard mark in three of the first four games this year. Junior quarterback Geron Stokes made his first start under center, and he was solid, completing 12-of-18 passes for 135 yards.

Stokes finally found a way to get the ball into Glover's hands. Glover tied the school record for receptions in a career with 147 after hauling in five passes for 53 yards in the game, both season highs. In addition, fullback Andy Vanover had his finest game as a collegian, carrying nine times for 28 yards and clearing the way for Murray on two of his three touchdown runs with devastating blocks on the edge of the defense.

Junior linebacker Tyler Harmon finished with a game-high 11 tackles after missing the last two games due to injury. Senior defensive end Chris Vennefron had an outstanding game as well, recording five tackles, including three for a whopping loss of 18 yards. He pressured Cappetto time and again with big hits just as he released the football.

Denison was paced offensively by tailback Fred Lee, who had a game-high 134 yards on 29 carries, but more importantly for Wittenberg he was kept out of end zone. Cappetto finished 7-of-20 for the game after a 2-of-9 first half.