Box Score Oberlin, Ohio - The visiting Wittenberg University Tigers proved why they are one of the elite teams in NCAA Division III, as they defeated the Yeomen 48-10 on Saturday afternoon at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
The Yeomen offense was unable to get into rhythm, totaling just 224 yards, which included a season-low 72 yards on the ground. The Yeomen came in averaging 204 yards rushing per game.
Defensively, the Yeomen also surrendered 468 yards and 25 first downs. Tigers' starting quarterback Zack Jenkins was 17-of-21 passing for 221 yards and two scores.
The Tigers took advantage of great field position throughout the first half as their first four scoring drives were 55 yards or less as they built up a 24-3 lead with 7:51 left in the opening half.
After Wittenberg's first score, the Yeomen were driving for the equalizer, but could not cash in for six. The drive started on a reverse pass as wide receiver
Justin Cruz threw a 36-yard strike to
Corey Fussinger to put the ball down at the Tigers' 34-yardline. Later on the drive,
Justin Williams dove over the top of the line on 4th-and-1 to give the Yeomen a first down at the 11, but a big loss and a holding penalty pushed them back and forced Oberlin to settle for a 35-yard
Erickson Andrews' field goal.
Down by 21, 24-3, late in the half Oberlin was again able to drive deep into Tigers' territory, but this time
Blake Buckhannon was stuffed on 4th-and-1 from the 18-yardline, giving the ball back to Wittenberg.
The Tigers, who are ranked 22
nd American Football Coaches Association Poll and 18
th in the D3football.com Poll, would march 82 yards on nine plays as Jimmy Dehnke ran in from 11 yards out to make it a 31-3 game at the half.
In the second half Wittenberg would score the lone touchdown of the third quarter and add 10 more points in the fourth before the Yeomen got back on the board again.
With under five minutes left to play, junior quarterback
Lucas Poggiali drove the Yeomen 76 yards on 11 plays with Buckhannon capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. It was his first rushing TD of the year.
Buckhannon finished with 38 yards on 14 carries, while Poggiali was 16-of-26 for 116 yards to go along with an interception. Seven different Yeomen caught at least one pass in the game with first-year
Trace McConnell leading the way with four catches, totaling 30 yards. Fussinger hauled in two passes for a team-high 48 yards in the loss.
On defensive
Max Schenk finished with a game-high 14 tackles, 11 of which were solo.
Adrian Kelly added 11 stops, while
Tim Kondo chipped in with 10.
The Yeomen have next Saturday off from competition, but will be back out on Bailey Field on October 11 when DePauw University comes to town.
