Mitchell Czerniak makes one of his 15 tackles during Saturday's action. The senior linebacker also had two pass breakups.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster missed out on a couple of high-quality scoring opportunities during the second quarter, which proved costly as the Fighting Scots were unable to mount a comeback from their 21-7 halftime deficit, and No. 15 Wittenberg University ultimately prevailed 42-7 during Saturday afternoon's North Coast Athletic Conference affair at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (3-3, 3-2 NCAC), playing a member of the current D3football.com top-25 for the third time this season, trailed 21-0 when it hit for a big play – a Richard Barnes 75-yard touchdown pass to Darrian Owens down the right sideline – with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Scots pinned Wittenberg (5-1, 5-0 NCAC) at its own 12-yard line on an open-field tackle by Christian Golden. The Tigers unsuccessfully tried to run the clock out, as Wooster used all three timeouts while the defense held its ground.

The Scots took over possession on the Wittenberg 40, quickly gained nine yards, but that was followed by an untimely holding penalty. On 3rd-and-7 from the 33, Barnes lofted a pass towards Owens in the end zone that glanced off his finger tips and incomplete.

Wooster also misfired on a 31-yard field goal earlier in the quarter, so instead of it possibly being 21-13 or 21-17 heading into intermission, it was a two-touchdown deficit.

The second half started on a positive note for the Scots, as the defense forced a turnover on downs. However, a penalty on the ensuing possession cost Wooster another first down and led to a punt.

Then, the Tigers started winning the field position battle. With the help from a friendly roll, they netted a 50-yard punt to pin the Scots on the one-yard line, and an unproductive offensive series and punt into the wind followed, which set Wittenberg up inside the red zone.

Three plays later, Jimmy Dehnke burst through the left side for a nine-yard touchdown run and 28-7 lead for the visitors.

In the fourth quarter, the Tigers tacked on 12- and 10-yard touchdown passes to Zach Culvahouse on back-to-back offensive plays, as they were sandwiched around a Wooster fumble on the kickoff.

Midway through the first quarter, Wittenberg opened the scoring with the help of another key penalty by the Scots. A personal foul on an incomplete pass gave the Tigers a first down, instead of a 3rd-and-12, and they went on to a 69-yard touchdown drive, capped by a Dehnke nine-yard rush.

After a Wooster interception, Wittenberg converted three third downs on its way to a 67-yard touchdown march as quarterback Zack Jenkins rushed in from one yard out for a 14-0 advantage.

Following the Scots' missed field goal, the Tigers marched 80 yards, with Jenkins hitting Clay Mangen for a 13-yard touchdown pass as Mangen's defender slipped down on the wet turf.

Wooster was ultimately done in by losing the turnover battle 4-0 as well as Wittenberg converting 11-of-18 third downs. The Tigers also kept the Scots' explosive offense off the field with a 36:52-to-23:08 advantage in time of possession.

Individually, Barnes became Wooster's career leader in passing yardage (7,182), surpassing Rich Judd (7,150 from 1995-98) during Saturday's game as he completed 14-of-29 for 179 yards.

Sean Hackel returned from injury and rushed for 79 yards on 20 carries, and on defense, Mitchell Czerniak stood out with 15 tackles, including 2.0 for losses, and two pass breakups.

Jenkins finished 20-of-29 through the air for 282 yards, with Culvahouse gathering in 12 of those balls for 169 yards and the two scores.

The Scots will look to finish the season strong again, starting with a trip to Denison University (2-4, 1-4 NCAC) in the annual battle for the "Old Red Lantern" trophy next Saturday night. Last year, they won their final four games.