Jake Vellucci

Jake Vellucci made clutch catches on back-to-back plays – the first two receptions of his career – first converting a 4th-and-3 followed by a 19-yard touchdown from Richard Barnes that gave The College of Wooster a 27-24 lead, then the Fighting Scots' defense stopped DePauw University three more possessions to earn a hard-fought, three-point victory in North Coast Athletic Conference action at Greencastle, Ind.

The lead changed hands five times from early in the third quarter to early in the fourth. Wooster (5-3, 5-2 NCAC) gained its first advantage when Barnes rushed in from eight yards out to finish a seven-play, 51-yard drive.

That put the Scots ahead 13-10, but their lead did not last long, with DePauw (3-5, 3-4 NCAC) quickly marching 75 yards to a touchdown. It took just four plays, two long Matt Hunt passes and then he completed a nine-yarder to Barry Flynn for the score to make it 17-13.

The two teams exchanged short punts before Wooster hit on a trick play. Barnes tossed a lateral to Keir Pace, who then found fellow receiver Darrian Owens open for a 46-yard touchdown, giving the Scots a 20-17 edge on the scoreboard.

Again, their lead only lasted a few plays, as the Tigers got a 29-yard rush from Amen Galley and a Flynn 36-yard touchdown reception to go back ahead 24-20 at the end of the third quarter.

The ensuing series turned out to be the most important of the game. After converting a 3rd-and-8 early in the possession, Wooster was faced with a 3rd-and-21 from the DePauw 45 when Barnes rolled out of the pocket and passed to Pace on the near sideline for 18 yards to set up 4th-and-short.

The Scots made the first down, as Barnes connected with Vellucci on a quick-hitter over the middle. On the next snap, Vellucci went down the middle again, this time a longer route as he collected the ball just inside the five-yard line and covered the final yardage for what turned out to be the game-winner.

There was still 11:27 remaining. Both defenses forced three-and-outs before the hosts started advancing the ball, making three first downs to the Scots' 32-yard line. However, Wooster's defense stiffened, highlighted by an Ian Crawford 22-yard sack on fourth down.

DePauw had one last opportunity, regaining possession at its own 16-yard line with 2:35 remaining. After one first down, the Scots' Vinnie Congedo helped clinch the win, intercepting a pass at the Wooster 36-yard line at the 1:52 mark.

During the first quarter, the Scots fell behind 10-0 while running only one offensive play. The Tigers made a 40-yard field goal on their opening possession, followed by a Wooster fumble on its first snap, which DePauw turned into the first of three Flynn receiving touchdowns.

Wooster's high-powered offense struggled most of the opening half, but put some points up late, a two-yard Sean Hackel touchdown run that was set up by a 31-yard Barnes scramble. The Scots also came up with a late takeaway, with Matt Osolinski recovering a fumble on their own 13-yard line :21 before halftime.

That momentum helped Wooster score a comeback victory during the second half.

The Scots outgained the Tigers by a 440-402 margin.

Barnes was just shy of 300 yards of total offense himself (291), completing 16-of-27 passes for 186 yards and rushing for 105 on 18 carries.

Hackel finished with an identical 105 rushing yards as well as 40 receiving on a team-high five catches. Owens led the way with 67 receiving yards.

Hunt had a 300-yard passing day for DePauw, 301 on 20-of-35 completions. He frequently targeted Flynn, who had eight receptions, 130 yards, and the three touchdowns.

Wooster will be on the road again next Saturday, traveling to Kenyon College (4-4, 4-3 NCAC) for a 1 p.m. kickoff.