Zack Weidrick celebrates his six-yard touchdown reception with teammates Kory George and Tyler Sinclair during Saturday's first quarter.

WOOSTER, Ohio – A costly turnover by The College of Wooster allowed Wittenberg University to go ahead 10-7 early in the second half and the Tigers' defense and clock-eating offense made the lead hold up, as they spoiled the Fighting Scots' Homecoming and North Coast Athletic Conference opener, walking away from a cool, wet John P. Papp Stadium with a 17-7 decision.

Wooster (1-2, 0-1 NCAC) owned a 7-3 advantage at halftime, but fumbled while pinned deep in its own end on its first offensive snap of the third quarter. Jon Daniels of Wittenberg (3-0, 2-0 NCAC) recovered at the five-yard line, and two plays later, Reed Florence hit Desi Kirkman on a low throw in the right flat for a three-yard touchdown pass.

Early in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Fighting Scots got the momentum back via a 73-yard net punt. Kicking from his own end zone, Dana Obery boomed a career-long 70-yard punt and when Wittenberg's Karlos Marshall decided to attempt to pick it up, he fumbled it.

Marshall was able to recover, and the Tigers' offensive unit mounted a 13-play, 83-yard drive. Nine of the plays were runs, by either Florence or Will Stocker, while the touchdown was a Florence 12-yard fade to the right side of the end zone where Garth Gilbert came down with it. That made it a two-possession game (17-7) with 6:30 remaining.

Wooster made one last push on the ensuing series, driving into the red zone. On 1st-and-10 from the 17, the Scots suffered a 19-yard sack, then Heath Eby made a game-clinching interception at the 22.

At one point in the first quarter, there were turnovers on three consecutive plays, including an interception in the end zone by Brandon James to prevent a red-zone chance for Wittenberg. After another interception, the Tigers missed a 41-yard field goal.

Then, Wooster engineered an 8-play, 75-yard drive. Richard Barnes completed all four of his pass attempts of the possession for 50 yards, including a six-yard out pattern to Zack Weidrick for the touchdown and 7-0 lead.

The Scots gained further momentum early in the second quarter when defensive end Rob Holtz tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, caught it, and returned the interception 20 yards to the Wittenberg 28.

Wooster, though, turned it right back over, marking its fourth giveaway of the half.

The Tigers covered 58 yards in the next six plays to set up 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line. However, the Scots made a defensive stand to force the visitors into a chip shot field goal, a Sean Williams 19-yarder, and Wooster maintained the 7-3 lead into halftime.

Statistically, the two big differences in the game were time of possession and turnovers. Wittenberg's offense spent nearly 40 minutes on the field (39:20), including 31:27 to the Scots' 13:33 after the first quarter. Wooster committed five turnovers to the Tigers' two.

Barnes was 11-of-26 through the air for 123 yards, with Weidrick catching four of his passes for 38 yards. Jimmy Tomcufcik was the Scots' leading rusher at 24 yards on eight attempts.

Florence put up similar passing numbers, completing 13-of-25 for 148 yards. He spread the ball around, with Brendon Cunningham being the top target with three receptions for 29 yards, while Stocker stood out running the ball as he netted 119 yards on 31 totes.

Wooster aims to bounce back next Saturday when it travels to NCAC rival Denison University (1-2, 1-1 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. kickoff.