Scots Gut Out 20-2 Win, Behind Another Stellar Defensive Effort

Freshman Dajaun Bush provided Wooster with a lift, ripping off several big gains and a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster's defense produced six takeaways, the last two of which resulted in fourth-quarter touchdowns, as the Fighting Scots finally pulled away from Ohio Wesleyan University for a 20-2 victory in the teams' North Coast Athletic Conference opener at John P. Papp Stadium.

Wooster (2-0, 1-0 NCAC), which has not allowed the opposition a touchdown through the first two games, seemed to control most of the action but ran into turnover problems itself, and was clinging to a 7-0 lead entering the fourth. Midway through the quarter, Ohio Wesleyan (0-2, 0-1 NCAC) had possession, but on a 3rd-and-6 play, Pat Byrne (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Central Catholic) chased down the scrambling quarterback and the ball popped loose. Brian Swan (East Canton, Ohio / East Canton) quickly pounced on it at the Bishops' 22-yard line.

From there, Dustin Sheppard (Johnstown, Ohio / Johnstown-Monroe) broke off two lengthy runs, the second covering 10 yards to the right side for a touchdown. The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked up the middle by Rylan Mitter-Burke with the ball bouncing back up to him, and he proceeded to take it the length of the field for the rare defensive extra point, making it a 13-2 score at the 6:49 mark.

The next offensive series saw the Bishops move the ball to their 40-yard line. Then, after a short pass, Ohio Wesleyan fumbled again and Matt DeGrand (Stow, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary) came up with Wooster's fourth such recovery of the day.

Subbing in for Sheppard, freshman Dajaun Bush (Palm Harbor, Fla. / Palm Harbor University) did most of the work for the Scots' next touchdown. He ripped off a 14-yard run, a highlight-reel 25-yarder down to the 2-yard line, and then punched it in from there for his first career touchdown, which sealed the game as Wooster went ahead by 18 points with 3:24 remaining.

The only other score came on the Scots' second offensive possession. Taking the ball around midfield after a 13-yard punt return by Taylor Trout (Nashport, Ohio / Tri-Valley), Wooster needed just five plays  to march 59 yards for the touchdown. The two key plays were passes, as Austin Holter (Johnstown, Ohio / Johnstown-Monroe) first connected with Jordan Ferns (Canfield, Ohio / Canfield) for 17 yards and later found Mike Redick (Wooster, Ohio / Northwestern) for the final 18 yards.

The Scots left some points on the field, though, in the first half. They missed a field goal wide right and committed two turnovers, the second coming on a pass picked by Preston Osborn in the Ohio Wesleyan end zone.

It looked like the Bishops were going to turn that into points, driving inside the 10-yard line. However, on 1st-and-goal, Wooster forced a fumble at the one-yard line and Eric Keyes (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton) recovered it.

The two teams traded punts and turnovers throughout the third quarter and early into the fourth.

Overall, the Scots gained 390 yards to Ohio Wesleyan's 197. Wooster also doubled the Bishops in first downs, 22 to 11, and held possession for 36:21, compared to 23:39.

Sheppard rushed for 85 yards on 18 carries, overcoming some cramps along the way, while Bush sparked the team with 70 yards on just 11 attempts. Holter added 58 yards on the ground and completed 21-of-32 passes for 172 yards. The Scots' top receiver was Redick with seven catches for 73 yards.

Ohio Wesleyan's Mickey Gies paced his squad with 32 rushing yards and Mike Fisher was 11-of-19 through the air, but for just 116 yards.

In addition to the six takeaways – four fumbles and two interceptions – Wooster had four sacks, including two by DeGrand. He recorded 13 tackles, leading another fine defensive effort.

The Scots hope to make it 3-0 next Saturday when they travel to Denison University (1-1, 0-1 NCAC) for a night game.