Linebacker first recipient of Maurer Scholarship

SPRINGFIELD — Dave Maurer's name is on the stadium, all over the record books and in multiple halls of fame.

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the name had company. The man himself, Maurer, watched Wittenberg defeat Denison 23-0 at Edwards-Maurer Field. The school celebrated Dave Maurer Day on the 25th anniversary of his final season as head coach.

At a halftime ceremony, about 70 former players stood behind Maurer, who sat in a golf cart as several proclamations were read in his honor. Later, a reunion dinner was held in honor of Wittenberg's all-time winningest football coach.

Wittenberg also announced Saturday that sophomore linebacker Brad McKinley will receive the first Dave Maurer Honorary Scholarship.

"I can't even begin to explain how much of a privilege it is to get this scholarship, especially with the name Dave Maurer related to it," McKinley said. "You look around this campus, and everywhere you look, he's had an impact."

The scholarship is the result of a three-month fundraising effort that netted more than $100,000. Maurer's legacy is also being celebrated with a tribute page on Wittenberg's Web site, www.wittenberg.edu.

Play of the day

Wittenberg junior cornerback Brandyn Brown turned in the most impressive play Saturday. It's listed as a 10-yard interception return, but it was much more than that.

A face-mask penalty erased much of Brown's return in the second quarter. Brown intercepted a tipped pass, took it right, then reversed field and found room on the sideline.

"He probably ran about 150 yards to get 80," McKinley said. "Brandyn's an athlete."

Cooper's block

South graduate Michael Cooper used his 6-foot-4 frame to block a 37-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.

"I was finally able to get one," Cooper said. "It was a low kick and came right to my hands."

Cooper is Wittenberg's third-leading receiver this year with 18 catches for 249 yards.

"The guy's playing more and more and getting better and better," Wittenberg coach Joe Fincham said. "It's going to be a lot of fun to watch him mature and grow in the program."

Durbin's legs

Quarterback Andrew Durbin scored Wittenberg's last two touchdowns with runs of 23 and 3 yards.

"Nobody is going to confuse Andrew Durbin with Michael Vick, but he's much more athletic than what you would think," Fincham said. "He can tuck it and take off and he showed it today and showed it last week by shaking off a couple of would-be tacklers in the backfield to prevent sacks and keep drives alive. He's becoming more and more resourceful."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

[Reprinted with permission from the "Springfield News-Sun"]