SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers struggled offensively, but a young, improving defense took a significant step forward with a dominating shutout performance against visiting Wooster.
Wittenberg managed just 243 yards of total offense, its lowest output since an NCAA Division III Tournament loss at Hobart in November 2012. However, the Tigers held Wooster scoreless, thanks in part to two interceptions, seven pass break-ups and seven tackles for loss as 24th-ranked Wittenberg improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).
The Tigers, who saw their 23-game NCAC win streak snapped last week against Wabash, next travel to undefeated DePauw for a 2 p.m. first kick on Saturday, Oct. 10. Wooster fell to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the league.
The game was played in unseasonably cold temperatures, made far more uncomfortable by cold winds out of the north and intermittent rain. The elements likely played a huge role in the in limited the two teams to just 27 first downs as Wooster managed just 2-of-16 on third down conversions and Wittenberg was held to 7-of-18.
The Tigers got on the board on a 35-yard first goal by senior Ty Smith (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) with 10:48 left in the first quarter, but Wittenberg missed its other two field goal attempts in the game. Wooster missed its lone field goal attempt as well.
Wittenberg found the end zone for the first time on a four-yard run by senior tailback Jimmy Dehnke (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) late in the second quarter. That burst capped a 16-play, 65-yard drive, far and away Wittenberg's best possession of the game.
After a scoreless third quarter, Wittenberg put the game out of reach with two touchdowns in the fourth and final frame. Sophomore Tyler Everidge (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) caught a five-yard touchdown pass from senior Zack Jenkins (Frostproof, Fla./Frostproof) and senior tailback Sean Gary (Indianapolis, Ind./Decatur Central) weaved his way into the end zone from 10 yards out.
Jenkins finished 17-of-28 for 128 yards in the game, his lowest output in two years as a starter. Senior wideouts Corey Stump (Lima, Ohio/Central Catholic) and Zach Culvahouse (Fort Myers, Fla./Estero) led the way with five catches apiece, while Dehnke and Gary combined for 142 yards on the ground.
Wittenberg's defense was paced by junior linebacker Dustin Holmes (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) with a career-high 16 tackles, in addition to an interception, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry. Senior defensive tackle Josh Bannick (Enon, Ohio/Greenon) also finished in double figures for tackles with 10 to go along with a pass break-up and two quarterback hurries.
Written By: Ryan Maurer