Kevin Komara

The College of Wooster's defense held No. 24 ranked Wittenberg University to season lows in first downs and total offense, and the Fighting Scots were within 10-0 entering the fourth quarter, but the Tigers' defense was equally assertive as it completed a 24-0 shutout in the North Coast Athletic Conference rivals' affair Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Ohio.

Seven of Wittenberg's (3-1, 2-1 NCAC) first 11 possessions began either at midfield or inside Wooster (1-4, 1-3 NCAC) territory, and the Scots turned the home team away time and time again. The only points they allowed through three quarters were a Ty Smith 35-yard field goal when the Tigers had a short field following an interception on the game's fourth play and a Jimmy Dehnke four-yard touchdown run, which ironically capped a drive that started in Wittenberg territory – 16 plays and 65 yards.

Otherwise, Wooster forced the Tigers into three punts, two lengthy missed field goals, and a turnover on downs on the other six possessions that began at midfield or inside Scot territory.

Offensively, Wooster had a few opportunities to get on the scoreboard during the opening half. A 30-yard rush by Antonio Bailey helped the Scots advance to the Wittenberg 34-yard line late in the first quarter, but they were turned away there on a 4th-and-6 play, and similarly, a 20-yard Bailey burst eventually led to a 4th-and-2 at the 31 that was also denied early in the second. With just under 2:00 before halftime, defensive tackle Aaron Roberson intercepted a Wittenberg pass, however, Wooster settled for a 49-yard field goal attempt.

Late in the third quarter, the Tigers finally took advantage of their repeated good field position. On a drive that began at the Scot 35, they gained a couple of first downs, and on 3rd-and-goal from the five, Zack Jenkins found Tyler Everidge open in the end zone for a touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Wittenberg tacked on a Sean Gary 10-yard touchdown run later in the fourth, while Wooster's offense was turned away twice that quarter – on 4th-down plays from the Tiger 21- and 6-yard lines.

Overall, the Scots, who were without three of their regular starters in the defensive backfield due to injuries last week, limited the Tigers to just 14 first downs and 243 yards, or an average 3.3 per play, while Wooster generated 13 first downs and 206 yards in the defensive struggle.

The Scots played a pair of quarterbacks – Tyson Vogel, who was making his first career start at the position, and Gary Muntean. They combined to go 14-of-36 for 115 yards, while Bailey's two long runs resulted in a 51-yard day on seven carries.

Defensively, Cornelius Gyamfi, a freshman and first-time starter, and Patrick Johnson shared tackle honors with 10 apiece, while Kevin Komara had 1.5 sacks plus a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and seven stops.

Wooster has a bye week before hosting Oberlin College (2-3, 2-2 NCAC) on Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.