Springfield, Ohio – The No. 8 Wittenberg football team battled the elements and the Little Giants of Wabash College on Saturday afternoon, falling short in overtime 28-21. The Tigers were forced to come from behind for the first time this season, overcoming a 14-7 Wabash first-half lead. Wittenberg accumulated over 350 yards of offense on the day, racking up 240-yards plus through the air. A thrilling fourth-quarter saw two Wittenberg scoring drives bring the game back to even at 21-21 before the end of regulation. The Tigers put the game-tying touchdown on the board with just seconds left on the clock, as Jake Kennedy found Liam Duncan crossing the back of the end zone for the nine-yard score.
Game Breakdown:
Wittenberg was the first to strike, putting the opening score on the board with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Nick Kendall capped off a 16-play 84-yard Wittenberg drive with a 17-yard scamper into the end zone. Wabash would have an answer for the Tigers with just eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, going 52-yards in two plays for the score. The Little Giants added one more touchdown to their lead before heading into the break, taking 13 plays to drive 99 yards, taking a 14-7 advantage into the intermission. The two sides would put up a defensive stand in the third quarter, as neither side was able to break the plain of the end zone. Wittenberg ended the scoring drought with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, as the Tigers converted on the misdirection for the second week in a row. Jeff Tiffner connected with a wide-open Kennedy in the corner of the end zone for the nine-yard score on the halfback pass option. With just under two minutes remaining, Wabash regained the lead 21-14, on the 20-yard score overtop of the Tiger secondary. With just moments left on the clock, the Tigers marched nearly the length of the field, capping the drive with the nine-yard pass from Kennedy to Duncan.
Who Stood Out:
Kendall led the ground attack on the day for the Tigers, picking up 16 rushes for 84 yards. Tiffner stood out with 10 receptions for 58-yards, including a 14-yard long. The Springfield native added his second passing touchdown of the season, with his nine-yard completion to Kennedy. Kennedy finished the day completing 27 of 48 passes, racking up 226 yards through the air. Terrance Crowe led the defense with 10 tackles on the afternoon. Jonathan Seay provided nine tackles, while Michael Ford finished with seven for the red and white.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 3 when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan for a North Coast Athletic Conference match-up at 1:00 PM with the Battling Bishops.