Springfield, Ohio - After celebrating more than 20 seniors prior to the final home game of the 2023 season, the Wittenberg football team had plenty more to celebrate over the next three hours as the Tigers took down Wooster 52-24.
The win avenged a stunning loss a year earlier on Wooster's home field, when the Scots rallied for a 44-43 victory. The loss kept the Scots, who finished the season with records of 4-6 overall and 3-5 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), without a win in Springfield since 1949. Wittenberg wrapped up the campaign with records of 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the league, good for a three-way tie for second place in the final standings.
The key to the blowout was defense as the Tigers forced five Wooster turnovers, including one fumble that junior defensive end Nick Wadsworth (Mason, Ohio/Mason) returned 61 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. Sophomore defensive end Eli Renick (Sarasota, Florida/Riverview) and junior Mario Getaw (Washington, Michigan/Eisenhower) also recovered fumbles, while senior Christian Sweet (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) and senior Anthony Pedro (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Washington) registered interceptions in the game. Two of the fumbles were forced by senior defensive lineman Conner Walls (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville), who had himself quite a day with 10 tackles, including three for loss, and two sacks to go along with the role he played in Wooster's turnover troubles.
Offensively, Wittenberg was efficient and opportunistic, starting with the play of junior quarterback Max Milton (Carmel, Indiana/Heritage Christian). He completed 18-of-22 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Senior Troy Teepe (Brookville, Indiana/East Central) was Milton's favorite target with three catches for 55 yards and the game's first touchdown, followed by Tyler May with four catches for 50 yards and a score. Also of note, Earl Pope (Miami, Florida/Carol City) caught two passes for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
On the ground, senior Bryce Anderson (Indianapolis, Indiana/Lawrence Central) led the way with 11 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown, while senior Garrett Gross (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine) added 47 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.