WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster's defense came away with five takeaways, highlighted by a 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Stephen McKinney that propelled the Fighting Scots to a 10-3 halftime lead, however, Denison University made a series of big plays during a 21-point third quarter to key its 31-17 North Coast Athletic Conference victory at John P. Papp Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Denison (3-0, 2-0 NCAC) earns the "Old Red Lantern" trophy for the second year in a row.

With the game tied 3-3 late in the opening half, Wooster (1-3, 1-2 NCAC) grabbed the momentum when Marcus Bowers strip-sacked the Big Red quarterback and McKinney picked up the loose ball, then sprinted down the left sideline for the score at the 1:52 mark of the second quarter. It marked the Scots' first fumble recovery for a touchdown since Nov. 5, 2011.

That momentum switched sides on the very first play of the second half, as Wooster fumbled the kickoff return. Denison took advantage of the short field, going 35 yards in five plays, with Jordan Patterson running in from four yards out to tie the game 10-10.

Three punts ensued, followed by the second key play of the third quarter. The Big Red may have caught the Fighting Scots' defense misaligned, as a short pass over the middle to a wide open Dushawn Brown turned into a 73-yard touchdown. The 2014 NCAC Offensive Player of the Year made one tackler miss, but otherwise had a clear path to the end zone. Overall, Wooster kept the talented Brown in check, limiting him to just three catches total on the day.

Stephen McKinney separates the ball from Denison quarterback Tommy Iammarino during the first quarter. On another fumble in the second, McKinney picked the ball and ran 42 yards for his first career touchdown.

Behind for the first time (17-10), the Scots had a good opportunity to tie the game. Defensive tackle Aaron Roberson tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage and also caught the ball for an interception, giving the offense possession at the Denison 22-yard line with 5:16 to play in the third.

A penalty and a sack on the ensuing series resulted in a long field goal attempt (46 yards) that was missed.

Two plays later, Big Red quarterback Tommy Iammarino found David Weimar down the seam for 42 yards down to the Wooster 20. From there, Patterson did the rest, including a one-yard plunge for the touchdown that gave the visitors a 24-10 lead.

The Scots' defense kept battling. Roberson was part of another takeaway early in the fourth quarter, recovering a fumble that was forced by Patrick Johnson, but the offense again could not take advantage.

Next, Denison put together a game-clinching 9-play, 65-yard drive, capped by an Iammarino eight-yard touchdown pass to Wehman in the middle of the end zone.

Wooster's final score was thanks in part to a Kevin Komara fumble recovery, as it led to a Gary Muntean-to-Dan Gorzynski 17-yard touchdown pass, completing a quick six-play, 37-yard possession.

Points were hard to come by early, as the Scots' Trevor Bowden drilled a career-long 44-yard field goal in the first quarter and Conor Dunn answered with a 19-yarder in the second for the lone scoring before McKinney's defensive touchdown. Bowden's conversion marked the longest field goal by a Wooster kicker in 14 years (Richie McNally, 46 yards at Ohio Wesleyan University on Sept. 29, 2001).

Both defenses stood out throughout the contest. There were eight takeaways in all and only 525 yards of combined total offense.

In addition to the aforementioned takeaways by the Scot defense, Derrick Florence II intercepted a pass that had been deflected by Keith Lemke and McKinney forced another fumble that ended up being recovered by the Big Red. Wooster had four sacks – one apiece by Bowers, Andru Brantley, Riley Markko, and Roberson.

Ryan Zinkula had both of Denison's interceptions and Cameron Kahl was credited with 1.5 of the team's three sacks.

The Scots' challenging early schedule – three of their first four opponents are currently undefeated – continues next Saturday with a visit to No. 15 ranked Wittenberg University (2-1, 1-1 NCAC).