The Wittenberg Tigers football team won over DePauw University Saturday, Sept. 28, 17-10. Wittenberg improved their record to 3-1, and stand tied with Ohio Wesleyan with 3-0 NCAC Records while Wabash trails close behind at 2-0 in NCAC play.
Wittenberg opened the first quarter with a drive that saw Bobby Froehlich (’21) throw for 55-yards and rushes by seniors Jaheem Washington (’20), Deshawn Sarley (’20) and Troy Clay (’20) to end up with the Tigers on the six-yard line. Froehlich threw to Sarley for a touchdown to complete the drive and the Tigers led DePauw 7-0 with 8:14 left in the first. DePauw responded minutes later with a field goal, bringing the Tigers to 7-3 with 3:34 left in the first.
Wittenberg opened the second quarter with a hard drive to DePauw’s six-yard line off with rushes by Washington, Clay and Tristan Davis (’20), who rushed for a combined 54-yards. The drive ended with a blocked Christian Seger (’23) field goal from the 27-yard line. The Tigers bounced back on their next possession with Froehlich throwing to Davis and Washington for 42-yards. Washington rushed for 17-yards to bring Wittenberg to the 33-yard line. Froehlich then threw to Davis for a touchdown, leaving the Tigers leading DePauw 14-3 with 1:08 left in the first half.
The Tigers opened the second half on the defensive and the defense responded immediately with Logan Jewsikow (’22), Jordan Burkey (’21) and Nasir Carter (’21) pushing DePauw back nine-yards in their first two plays. Wittenberg then downed a DePauw punt, but drew a penalty for roughing the kicker, allowing DePauw another first down. The Tigers left the third quarter without the addition of any points, leaving Wittenberg leading DePauw 14-3.
Wittenberg opened the fourth quarter with Froehlich being intercepted at the Tigers own 38-yard line. DePauw then took advantage of their interception and pushed towards the end zone for a touchdown, bringing the score to Wittenberg-14, DePauw-10 with 9:53 left in the game.
Wittenberg opened the next drive with a hard ground push by Clay and Washington for 48 yards while Froehlich threw for 37-yards. The Tigers hard work allowed Seger to put the ball through the uprights, bringing the score to 17-10 with 1:40 left in the game.
The Tigers offense was led by Froehlich who threw for 240 of the Tigers 378 total offensive yards. “Staying here all summer was a big help on achieving some of my goals and helped me get to where I am at now,” Frohelich said.
“This isn’t a [one-person] sport, you know I have to give credit to the other ten people on the field with me and being surrounded by a great coaching staff has helped me be successful,” said Froehlich of his offensive production this season.
Washington led the ground game with 75-yards, while Clay and Davis trailed behind with 42 and 23-yards rushed against DePauw. Davis was also Froehlich’s favorite receiver on Saturday, with four receptions for 78-yards. Sam Kayser (’21) also had four receptions for a total of 62-yards.
Week Three NCAC Defensive Player of the Week Jonathan Seay (’20) led the Tigers defensive line for the third week in a row with four solo tackles and five assisted tackles.
“I was surprised by the news, [I] wasn’t really thinking much of it, but I guess it was a nice bit of news to hear starting off the week,” said Seay of the NCAC honor. Carter was the defensive line’s number two man with four solo tackles and three assisted tackles.
Wittenberg has a bye week on Saturday but will face Allegheny at home on Oct. 12 at noon for Community Day. Allegheny is currently 0-3 after losses to Rensselaer Polytechnic, Wabash and Ohio Wesleyan.
