SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — After committing an uncharacteristic four turnovers, having three kicks attempts blocked (two field goals and an extra point that was returned for a rare two-point conversion) and suffering through another rash of injuries to key players, it was almost a miracle that the Wittenberg Tigers even had a chance to line up for an onside kick attempt with 13 seconds left, trailing 30-27.
The Tigers nearly converted the onside kick, but after seeing the ball trickle out of bounds just off the fingertips of two Wittenberg players, all that was left was a moral victory of sorts. However, it's doubtful anyone associated with the football program with the most wins in NCAA Division III history would choose to see a 30-27 loss to visiting Washington University that way.
Washington University improved to 3-0 with the win, while the Tigers, who next open North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play at Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, dropped to 1-1.
A poorly played first half set the stage for the loss in Wittenberg's first-ever meeting with Washington University. The Tigers trailed 21-0 less than three minutes into the second quarter after a long Bears drive, a Wittenberg fumble on its own nine-yard-line that led directly to a Washington University TD, and a 70-yard scoring pass.
But Wittenberg rallied, starting with a 50-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Aaron Huffman (Newark, Ohio/Newark) to freshman wide receiverJosh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh). The Tigers could get no closer, however, thanks largely to two second-quarter interceptions.
McKee added a second touchdown, this time on a 19-yard pass from Huffman midway through the third quarter. But the ensuing extra point attempt was blocked, and Washington University's Tommy Bawden returned it 85 yards the other way for a crucial two points. Not only was the play a three-point swing on the scoreboard, but it was a momentum changer, especially in light of an injury suffered by Huffman on the scoring play.
The Tigers pulled within three points on a 98-yard scoring drive, capped by freshman running back Trevor Luckenbill (West Milton, Ohio/Milton Union) on a 10-yard scoring burst with 14 minutes left in the game. Washington University responded with an 87-yard drive of their own to score four minutes later and push the lead back to 10 points. After an interception at the goal line by the Bears, a game Wittenberg comeback appeared to be denied.
Senior quarterback Matt Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) breathed new life into the offense, directing a 63-yard scoring drive after a Washington University punt. McKee scored his third touchdown of the game on a 17-yard completion with 13.6 seconds remaining, but the aforementioned onside kick attempt went for naught.
Brumfield finished with 134 yards on 11-of-18 passing in relief of Huffman, who posted totals of 129 yards on 8-of-15. McKee led both teams with 153 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions, while senior wideout Patrick Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) added six receptions for 48 yards. Luckenbill led the way on the ground in his first collegiate appearance, finishing with 82 yards on 16 carries, while sophomore tailback Rod Belcher (Covington, Ga./Newton County)added 51 yards on 13 carries.
Wittenberg gained more first downs and total yards in the game, but all that matters at day's end is the score on the board. Washington University's offense, which is averaging more than 30 points per game through the first third of the season, was paced by quarterback Buck Smith with 265 yards and two touchdowns, and diminutive wideout Tom Gulyas, who finished with 146 yards and the aforementioned 70-yard touchdown on six catches.
Defensively, Wittenberg got another big game from sophomore defensive endEddie Vallery (South Solon, Ohio/Madison Plains), who finished with 10 tackles, a sack and a blocked field goal, and junior linebacker Kyle Lohrman (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland), who added nine stops. In addition, junior defensive tackle Taylor Scherer (Crestwood, Ky./S. Oldham County) finished with three tackles and an interception.