Defense, Holter Shine in 27-6 Season-Opening Win

Pat Zimmerman

The College of Wooster's defense intercepted five passes, including two by Pat Zimmerman (Akron, Ohio / Green), and limited Waynesburg University's preseason All-American running back Robert Heller, last year's leading rusher in NCAA Div. III (197.8 ypg), to a career-low 104 yards, as the Fighting Scots won the teams' season opener at Waynesburg, Pa., rather handily, 27-6.

The five interceptions marked the most by Wooster since the Seth Mastrine-led defensive backfield accomplished the feat in a 13-10 overtime victory at Allegheny College on Oct. 2, 1999. Mastrine was in on four picks himself that game.

On Saturday, the initial drive resulted in a 44-yard field goal from the foot of the Yellow Jackets' Bryan Arbes. The Scots (1-0) had a quick answer, countering with a touchdown on their first possession. Quarterback Austin Holter (Johnstown, Ohio / Johnstown-Monroe) found junior wide receiver/tight end Mike Francescangeli (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick) over the middle for four yards, capping an 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive. It marked the first career touchdown for Francescangeli, who played on defense last fall. The extra point was blocked, though, ending a run of 63 consecutive makes for Wooster dating to its 2006 season opener.

A Francescangeli also scored a touchdown on the Scots' second possession. This time it was senior wideout Joe Francescangeli (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick), the older brother of Mike, on the receiving end of a Holter pass that covered 14 yards early in the second quarter to complete another 67-yard march. Wooster converted the point after attempt for a 13-3 lead and it remained that way through halftime, thanks in part to three second-quarter interceptions by Bryan Albani (Warren, Ohio / Howland), Brian Swan   (East Canton, Ohio / East Canton), and Zimmerman

The Scots, who saw a 28-7 halftime lead turn into a 45-35 loss last year against Waynesburg, committed two turnovers early in the third quarter, the second of which led to an Arbes 28-yard field goal.

With the advantage trimmed to 13-6, Wooster responded with a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. Dustin Sheppard (Johnstown, Ohio / Johnstown-Monroe) took care of the final five yards early in the fourth quarter for his 28th career score.

The Scots would add an insurance touchdown later in the fourth. Following a Jeremy Petit (Doylestown, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary) interception, the offense took advantage of a short field, going 46 yards over four plays, with Holter rushing it in himself from three yards out at the 5:00 mark.

Overall, Wooster outrushed its hosts 205-110 and also held an edge in passing (147-142) for a total of 352 yards to 252.

Individually, Holter finished with 248 yards of total offense – 147 passing and 101 rushing on just 12 attempts. He completed 18-of-24 passes, while his 100-yard rushing game marked the second of his career. Mike Francescangeli was Holter's top target through the air with five receptions for 40 yards and he also ran a reverse 20 yards. Sheppard added 82 yards on the ground (18 rushes).

Heller carried the ball 22 times while barely reaching the century mark. His previous career low was 113 yards at Geneva College Nov. 3, 2007.

Two Waynesburg quarterbacks combined to go 14-of-24 for 142 yards. In addition to the five picks, they were sacked four times, including two by sophomore Eric Keyes (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton), a first-time starter at linebacker.

Zimmerman, a senior who saw very limited playing time previously, broke out with a career- and team-high 10 tackles and the two interceptions to lead the Wooster defense.

The Scots have a "bye" next weekend and will resume the 2008 season on Sept. 20 when they host Ohio Wesleyan University (0-1) in a North Coast Athletic Conference game at 1 p.m.