Wittenberg football defeated the College of Wooster Fighting Scots, 14-12 in the Tigers Home Opener Saturday, Sept. 21. The Tigers are currently 2-1 overall and are undefeated in NCAC conference play as football enters week four.
The Tigers opened their home schedule with quarterback Bobby Froehlich (’21) throwing for 39 yards on the opening drive before throwing an interception at the Wooster 23-yard line. Wittenberg’s next drive was turned over to the Fighting Scots at their three-yard line following failed goal line rushes by Froehlich and Week Two NCAC Offensive Player of the week Jaheem Washington (’20).
Wittenberg received the ball back four minutes later as Jonathan Seay (’20) forced a fumble at the Tigers 49-yard line. Troy Clay (’20) rushed for 25 yards over two plays before the first quarter expired with the Tigers at the Fighting Scots 35-yard line.
The Tigers punted the football to the Fighting Scots to open the second quarter as Justin Maynard (’23) booted the ball to Wooster’s six-yard line. The Tigers and Scots drove up and down the field for two drives before Wooster received a holding penalty at their own 17-yard line.
The holding penalty allowed Nasir Carter (’21) to block a Wooster pass attempt. The Fighting Scots then punted the football to the Tigers 41-yard line. Wittenberg started their drive with a 53-yard pass by Froehlic to Thad Snodgrass (’20) for a Tiger Touchdown.
Christian Seger (’23) completed the extra point attempt leaving the Tigers with a lead over the Fighting Scots, 7-0, with 6:57 left in the second quarter. Wooster responded with a field goal minutes later, leaving the Tigers leading 7-3 at the end of the first half.
The Tigers opened the third quarter with a touchdown as Froehlich completed an eight-yard pass to DeShawn Sarley (’20). Wittenberg led the Fighting Scots 14-3 with 7:57 left in the third quarter.
Wooster responded on their next drive with a 37-yard field goal, bringing the score to 14-6 with 5:43 in the third quarter. The rest of the third quarter saw the Tigers and Scots driving down the field without any results.
The fourth quarter opened with a Wittenberg possession that lasted five minutes and saw the Tigers drive 66-yards downfield. Froehlich threw for 58-yards on this drive, while Sarley rushed for five. Froehlich left the game after a Wooster sack at the Scots 30-yard line and was replaced by Blake King (’22) for the remainder of the game. Wittenberg ended the drive with a punt by King.
Wooster struck again on the next drive after a pass interference penalty by Danny Foster (’20) moved the Scots to the Tigers two-yard line. Wooster’s two-point conversion failed, leaving the score 14-12 with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers totaled 389 offensive yards Saturday with Froehlich throwing 241 total yards over 17 completions. Wittenberg’s ground game was led by Washington, Clay and King, who totaled 76, 36 and 18 yards each. Wittenberg’s receiving leaders were Thristan Davis (’20) who totaled 70-yards over six carries, while Snodgrass and Sarley racked up 53, and 44-yards with one touchdown each.
Wittenberg’s defensive line was led by Seay with nine tackles while Carter racked up five total tackles for the day. The Tigers defensive squad totaled 24 solo and 36 assisted tackles against Wooster.
The Tigers play next at DePauw University on Saturday at 1 p.m. DePauw currently stands 1-1 overall after a loss to Central (Iowa) and a win to Kenyon. DePauw lost 38-23 to Wittenberg last year and are currently ranked fourth in the NCAC.
