Justin Rice

In a role reversal from their meeting last season, The College of Wooster made a series of miscues during the fourth quarter and Ohio Wesleyan University took advantage by outscoring the Fighting Scots 17-0 the final 15 minutes en route to a 38-14 decision in North Coast Athletic Conference action Saturday at a brisk, but sunny Selby Stadium in Delaware, Ohio.

Last year, Wooster defeated Ohio Wesleyan 28-27 after trailing by 20 early in the fourth quarter, marking the largest comeback in school history.

On Saturday, the two teams played three close quarters, with the host Battling Bishops up 21-14. Things began to unravel for the Scots about two minutes into the fourth when a snap over the punter's head went for a 31-yard loss, which gave Ohio Wesleyan possession on the five-yard line.

Kevin Herman punched it in from there – the second of his three touchdowns on the afternoon – and the Bishops were up by two scores (28-14) for the first time.

Wooster appeared that it was going to get right back in the game, moving to the Ohio Wesleyan 34. However on 1st-and-10, after gaining six yards, Sean Hackel fumbled and the Bishops pounced on it.

Ohio Wesleyan proceeded to not only burn the clock, but steadily moved down field as it gained four first downs before kicking through a 32-yard field goal to effectively seal the outcome – 31-14 with 3:00 to play.

It was scoreless through one quarter of play, however, on the last play of the opening 15 minutes, the Bishops recovered a fumble, giving their offense possession on the Scots' 28-yard line.

Seven plays later, quarterback Dominick Orsini rushed it in himself from four yards out for a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Wooster's offense strung together an 11-play, 89-yard touchdown drive near the end of the half to tie the game. Four pass plays from Gary Muntean to Tyler Smith accounted for 30 yards of the series, and Muntean hit a wide open Justin Rice down the right sideline, covering 26 yards, for the score.

Early in the third quarter, Ohio Wesleyan went back ahead by driving 58 yards in nine plays, with Herman running in from three yards for the touchdown.

The Scots answered on the ensuing possession, as Muntean connected with Rice for 14 yards, Richard Barnes for 11, and Darrian Owens for 48, the latter tying it 14-14.

Two plays later, Wooster nearly had a fumble return for a touchdown, but Orsini's knee was ruled down before the ball came out, and then he threw a deep pass to Ross Hickenbottom, who went up for the ball along with a Wooster defender, came down with it, and sprinted the remainder of the field for a 62-yard touchdown and 21-14 lead.

Ultimately, the Scots' three giveaways – all fumbles – were the difference in the game, as they lost the turnover margin 3-0.

Also had it not been for Wooster's 46 yards lost on poor snaps, the two teams would have finished nearly identical in total offense. Instead, Ohio Wesleyan held a 70-yard edge (334-264).

Muntean, making his third career start at quarterback, was efficient again. He completed 24-of-38 for 225 yards and the two scores without an interception, while senior running back Sean Hackel closed his career with 53 yards on nine carries.

Herman stood out for the Bishops, rushing 23 times for 101 yards with two scores, and his third touchdown came on a late 45-yard punt return.

The Scots' senior duo of linebacker Mitchell Czerniak and safety Brandon James stood out on defense once again. Czerniak was credited with 16 tackles to up his league-leading total for the season to 125, while James had 12 stops, including 2.0 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.