Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team suffered a 38-3 setback to the visiting Wabash College Little Giants on a wet and rainy afternoon at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
The Yeomen came into the game ranked first in the North Coast Athletic Conference in rushing defense but the Little Giants were able to take advantage of Oberlin's banged up front as they rushed for 269 yards on 53 attempts. Isaac Avant did the bulk of the work with 165 yards on 29 carries.
Oberlin's offense failed to find much traction, totaling 190 yards with 101 coming on the ground.
Wabash scored on its second possession of the game as freshman quarterback Liam Thompson capped a 9-play, 62-yard drive with a 7-yard TD run.
It appeared the Yeomen were going to answer on their ensuing possession as they marched 77 yards on eight plays, but freshman running back
Ryan McCrum was stripped at the goal line and the Little Giants recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
Oberlin would get on the board in the second quarter, putting together a methodical 15-play, 46-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard
Christian Arnold field goal.
Joey Annee would pin the Yeomen at their own 1-yard line following a perfect punt and just two plays later
Kobe Brooks was stripped by Brandon Peck and the ball was scooped up by Jose Franco for a 4-yard TD. The Little Giants would also add a field goal to take a 17-3 lead into the intermission.
In the second half, the Yeomen never threatened as Wabash scored on its opening drive en route to adding 21 second-half points.
McCrum led Oberlin with 34 yards rushing on 14 attempts, while Brooks added 31 yards on 13 carries.
Chris Allen Jr. finished 8-of-19 passing for 84 yards. Six different Yeomen caught a pass, led by 26 yards from
Tim Martin.
Von Wooding led the defense with 13 tackles and a forced fumble while moving into second all-time in school history with 296 tackles, passing Bennett Jackson (2014-17) who had 294.
Jabree Hason added 11 tackles in the loss.
The Yeomen are back in action next Saturday at Wittenberg University. Kickoff is for 6 p.m.
