Derrick Johnson Jr.

After scoring the seventh-most points in school history last week, The College of Wooster and its high-powered offense make a long-awaited 2014 home debut this Saturday night, Sept. 27, against North Coast Athletic Conference foe Hiram College (2-1, 1-1 NCAC) on Andrew Turf Field at 4,500-seat John P. Papp Stadium. It marks the latest home opener for the Wooster football team since the 1975 season, when it also played its first home game on Sept. 27. The Fighting Scots hope to put on a good show for the Homecoming crowd, but it will be no easy task as Hiram nearly pushed its record to 3-0 before being tripped up by Allegheny College 24-21. Saturday's kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.

On the Air: Wooster's football games can be heard live each week in the Wooster area on WKVX 960 AM or on the radio station's website at http://wkvx.com/.

Also, for all five home games, the audio and video from local cable provider MCTV, Inc., will be broadcast live over the web at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/wooster.portal#.

All-Time Series: Wooster has dominated the all-time series with Hiram, prevailing in 36 of 40 meetings (36-4). The Scots have taken each of the teams' nine games since the Terriers joined the conference – 38-24 in 2013, 45-14 in 2012, 35-14 in 2011, 62-0 in 2010, 24-17 in 2007, 52-0 in 2006, 59-17 in 2005, 59-0 in 2004, 28-10 in 2001, and 33-14 in 2000.

Home Openers: Wooster has been the victor in 11 of its last 17 home openers, the most recent being a 31-14 triumph over Oberlin College on Sept. 18, 2010.

Last Week: On Sept. 20, the Scots broke out for 35 points during a 13:06 stretch spanning the first and second quarters, which gave them a 42-10 halftime cushion, and they went on to a 63-10 NCAC win over Oberlin College to spoil the Yeomen's debut at Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex in Oberlin, Ohio.

After Oberlin turned the momentum from the celebration of its first home night game into a 10-7 lead, Wooster took control. Its second and third touchdowns, both Richard Barnes (Painesville, Ohio/Harvey)-to-Darrian Owens (Wooster, Ohio / Wooster) pass plays, came just 2:11 apart and were setup by long returns. First, a 66-yard kickoff return by Tyler Smith (Burbank, Ohio / Northwestern) was followed on the next snap by Barnes throwing a quick screen to Owens, who juked one defender and sprinted into the end zone for a 29-yard score.

The Scots' defense followed with a three-and-out, then Brandon James (Barberton, Ohio / Barberton) returned the punt a career-long 39 yards to set up the offense inside the 40-yard line. Two plays later, Barnes hit Owens for a 27-yard touchdown, putting the Scots ahead 21-10 near the end of the first quarter.

Another 21-point spot went on the board in the second. Barnes capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper, and just over two minutes later, he tossed a 15-yard touchdown to Justin Rice (Painesville, Ohio / Harvey). The previous play had been a 35-yard catch-and-run for tight end Jake Zoldan (Canton, Ohio / Hoover).

Wooster scored a touchdown for a sixth consecutive drive later in the quarter, with Barnes finding Keir Pace (Columbus, Ohio / South) from 10 yards out to complete a seven-play, 69-yard possession, and it was 42-10 with 4:40 before halftime.

The Scots began the third quarter with the ball and marched 55 yards in seven plays to another score. Sean Hackel (Victor, N.Y. / Victor), who had the game's first touchdown, rushed in another, this time from five yards out.

During the fourth quarter, a pair of freshmen running backs – Smith and Derrick Johnson Jr. (Marietta, Ga. / Sprayberry) – completed the scoring with touchdown runs of seven and 17 yards, respectively.

Statistically, Barnes was a very efficient 13-of-15 passing for 233 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the last 19:20. Pace led the team in receiving yards with 79, and Adam Coppock (Columbiana, Ohio / Crestview) had a Wooster-high six receptions.

Hackel pounded out 137 rushing yards on 20 carries, while Smith and Johnson, Jr., were solid in relief with 87 and 52 yards, respectively.

Also of note, Trevor Bowden (Eatonton, Ga. / Gatewood Schools) made all nine extra points, tied for the second-most in a single-game in Scot history.

This and That: Wooster's 574 yards of total offense against Oberlin was the most for the Scots since going for 584 at Earlham College on Nov. 3, 2007. They also nearly hit the school record for first downs in a game with 33, one shy of the record ... Defensively, Wooster did not come up with a takeaway at Oberlin, the first time that has happened in 12 game under second-year head coach Frank Colaprete ... Senior quarterback Richard Barnes (Painesville, Ohio / Harvey), already Wooster's career leader in total offense (7,758 yards) and pass completions (565), is now eyeing the school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. He currently needs 608 and 11 to reach Rich Judd (1995-98) in those respective categories.