COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the third consecutive year, the Wittenberg Tigers will be forced to pick themselves up off the mat after a season-opening loss to Capital.
The veteran Crusaders were dominant on both offense and defense while rolling to a 57-7 decision. Capital, an NCAA Division III Tournament quarterfinalist a year ago and the preseason No. 5 team in the nation, is 1-0 heading into a bye week. The Tigers, coming off a 5-5 campaign a year ago with just 10 returning starters in the lineup, must re-group quickly as they welcome NCAA Division I-AA nonscholarship powerhouse Dayton to Edwards-Maurer Field for Community Day on Sept. 9.
A strong defensive stand on the opening drive, a 53-yard kickoff return by freshmanBrandyn Brown (Louisville, Ky./Male) and a seven-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter by freshman quarterback Aaron Huffman (Newark, Ohio/Newark)qualify as the Tigers' main highlights in this one. The Crusaders rolled out to leads of 16-0 after one quarter, 43-0 at halftime and 57-0 a few minutes into the fourth quarter to leave no doubt.
The Tigers, who were outgained 511-99 for the game, got 28 yards on 16 carries from senior tailback Tristan Murray and four receptions for 16 yards from freshman wide receiver Chris Jones (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown). Huffman showed improvement in the second half after posting negative passing yardage in the first 30 minutes, finishing 12-of-19 for 74 yards and the rushing touchdown.
Defensively, the Tigers were done in by poor field position as much as anything else. Five of Capital's eight touchdown drives were 53 yards or less, thanks to a combination of short Wittenberg punts, long Capital kickoff returns and turnovers. Senior safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) led Wittenberg with eight tackles, including six solos, while junior safety Tim Flammer (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) added seven tackles, including six solos. Senior tackle Willie Jordan (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) made a big play with a sack on the Crusaders' first drive and finished with three tackles.