SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers got off to a fast start and never looked back, capturing a 45-13 Homecoming victory over Earlham on a glorious Indian Summer afternoon.
Wittenberg, which improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) with the win, scored on its first play from scrimmage on an 80-yard touchdown pass from senior wide receiver Patrick Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) to freshman wide receiver Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh). It was the longest scoring play of either player's career, and it started a march toward dropping Earlham to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the NCAC.
The Tigers added a four-yard touchdown run from senior tailback Tony Hall (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor) and a 24-yard field goal from sophomore kickerDavid Rome (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Hawken) to close out the first half with a 16-0 lead. By halftime, the advantage was 36-7 as Williams caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew Durbin (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), freshman tailback Trevor Luckenbill (West Milton, Ohio/Milton-Union) scored on a 22-yard run and Hall added a one-yard plunge on the final play of the first half.
Earlham countered with a touchdown midway through the second quarter and another early in the fourth. However, the Quakers were held to just 30 yards rushing on 27 attempts and 223 yards total, compared to a season-high 554 for Wittenberg.
Rome, a soccer goalkeeper turned kicker in recent weeks, added a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter and freshman wide receiver Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South) rounded things out with a 34-yard scoring reception from Durbin in the fourth. Durbin came off the bench to have himself a fine day, finishing with eight completions in 10 attempts for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterbackMatt Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) added 13-of-18 for 118 yards in his fourth straight starting assignment.
McKee led all receivers with 130 yards on nine receptions, while Williams added five catches for 84 yards and Cooped had four receptions for 78 yards. Luckenbill led both teams with 134 yards rushing on 15 carries in his second straight starting assignment.
The Tiger defense turned in another stellar performance, led by sophomore linebacker Brad McKinley (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) with a season-high 15 tackles. Freshman linebacker Zach Hurtt (Fort Thomas, Ky./Highlands) added 11 tackles, while junior linebacker Kyle Lohrman (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) checked in with nine tackles. Hurtt and Lohrman were two of six Wittenberg players credited with a pass broken up.
The win set up a showdown with fifth-ranked Wabash at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Wittenberg's Edwards-Maurer Field. The teams were the preseason NCAC favorites, and their rivalry has been ratcheted up in recent years as they have won or shared six of the last eight conference championships.