Darrian Owens

The College of Wooster football team outgained and outscored No. 11 ranked Wabash College during the second half, but it was not enough to overcome a tough second quarter as the Fighting Scots fell 35-16 in Saturday afternoon's North Coast Athletic Conference affair at Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium in Crawfordsville, Ind.

While it wasn't the outcome the Fighting Scots were hoping for, the 19-point margin on the road was a significant improvement compared to last year's 34-point setback at home to the nationally-ranked Little Giants.

Down 28-3 at halftime, Wooster (2-2, 2-1 NCAC) battled back into the game by spending most of the third quarter in Wabash (4-0, 3-0 NCAC) territory. The Scots' Shawn Bowman helped keep the hosts off the scoreboard on the initial drive of the second half via a blocked field goal – the fifth block of his career. Then, the offense moved inside the 10-yard line, keyed by a Richard Barnes' 45-yard run, however, the Little Giants' defense denied Wooster, forcing a turnover on downs at the one-yard line.

The Scots continued to win the field-position battle, with the defense forcing a three-and-out, as they regained possession in Wabash territory. Wooster got one first down into the red zone, but a sack led to a long field goal attempt that was missed.

On their third possession of the quarter, the Scots finally crossed the end zone. After reaching midfield, Brandon James took the snap on a fake punt, found a big hole to easily convert the first down, and broke a few tackles down the right sideline before being brought down at the three-yard line. On the next snap, receiver Darrian Owens went in motion, collected the handoff from Barnes, and went around the right side for his first career rushing touchdown to make it 28-9 near the end of the third.

Wooster, with the stiff wind at its back during the fourth, had a chance to make it a two-possession game, after another three-and-out from its defense. A pair of Tyler Smith runs gave the Scots an initial first down, only to be followed by back-to-back sacks, and they had to punt it away.

The offense was going to get the ball back, but a penalty on a punt gave the Little Giants a second chance, and they took advantage, as Mason Zurek eventually burst free up the middle for a 15-yard touchdown.

Wooster accounted for the final points, completing a nine-play, 75-yard drive when Justin Rice and Owens executed a hook-and-lateral. Rice was on the receiving end of a six-yard pass from Barnes, then flipped to Owens, who sprinted 17 yards to the left pylon.

The Scots' defense stood out during the first quarter. Despite three different Wabash drives beginning in Wooster territory, and a fourth just shy of midfield, it was just 7-0 through 15 minutes.

The Scots were ultimately done in by the second quarter when the Little Giants scored three touchdowns en route to a 28-3 advantage.

The hosts piled up 139 yards that quarter, leading to a 364-281 edge in total offense for the game. Wooster owned a 229-196 advantage during the second half.

The Scots gained most of their yards on the ground, a final mark of 233, in spite of seven sacks for 57 yards counting against that total. Smith led the way with 85 yards on just 12 carries, Sean Hackel contributed 64, and Barnes overcame those sacks for a plus-38 net.

Due to the pressure from Wabash and the wind, Wooster's normally effective passing game was held in check, as Barnes completed just 6-of-22 for 48 yards.

For the Little Giants, Tyler Holmes had a 100-yard rushing day with 108 on 18 attempts and quarterback Michael Putko was a steady 15-of-22 for 121 yards and three touchdowns, two to Sammy Adams.

The Scots will try to rebound next Saturday when they welcome Allegheny College (1-3, 1-2 NCAC) to John P. Papp Stadium for the first of four home games during a five-week span.