Wooster Steadily Pulls Away from OWU, Wins NCAC Opener 37-20

The College of Wooster's offense scored on its first six possessions and then Matt DeGrand returned an interception 82 yards, marking the senior linebacker's first career touchdown, as the Fighting Scots steadily built a 37-13 lead and they wound up with a 37-20 decision over home-standing Ohio Wesleyan University in the teams' North Coast Athletic Conference opener Saturday at Delaware, Ohio.

Trailing 30-13 in the third quarter, Ohio Wesleyan (0-2, 0-1 NCAC) was looking to stay within striking distance of Wooster (1-1, 1-0 NCAC) as it drove down to the Scots' 26-yard line. On a 3rd-and-5 play from there, defensive tackle Dan Terhune sacked the quarterback for a four-yard loss, putting the Battling Bishops in a difficult spot on fourth down. That play saw DeGrand step in front of a pass just inside the 20 and with an escort of blockers, he sprinted down the left sideline for the score and a 24-point lead.

Prior to that, the story of the game had been Wooster's offensive unit, often times taking advantage of a short field. The Scots' initial possession began at the Ohio Wesleyan 48-yard line, and keeping the ball on the ground for all but one play, they scored in seven plays with Kyle Murdock rushing it in from four yards for the game's initial score.

The Bishops answered right back to tie it 7-7, driving 69 yards over 13 plays, and the scoring continued as a short kickoff and 25-yard kickoff return by Murdock gave Wooster the ball around midfield again. Starting from their own 49, the Scots quickly moved inside the 10-yard line, but an eventual 15-yard penalty forced them to settle for a 36-yard field goal attempt, which Russ Palm drilled early in the second quarter.

Two plays into Ohio Wesleyan's next possession, Terhune recovered a fumble on the 27-yard line. Next, Austin Holter threw to Will Hansen over the middle and he took it down to the one-yard line for a 26-yard gain. Three plays later, Robert Flagg crossed the end zone from two yards away for the touchdown and 17-7 cushion.

The Bishops, though, would make it a one-score game again just 41 seconds later, keyed by a 67-yard pass play from Keegan Varner to Bryan Hoover. After scoring on a Varner nine-yard quarterback draw, Ohio Wesleyan misfired on the ensuing extra point as it stood at 17-13.

A couple of penalties ensued on the kickoff and eventually Wooster gained possession on the Bishops' 48-yard line. Seven plays later, they added a Palm 31-yard field goal to make it 20-13.

In addition to DeGrand's interception, the other big momentum swing came late in the opening half, as Ohio Wesleyan, trailing by the touchdown difference, pinned the Scots at their own two-yard line with 5:20 remaining. Wooster converted a 3rd-and-2 from its 10, and later in the drive, a 4th-and-4 play, with Palm eventually booting a 21-yard field goal right before the break to complete a 19-play, 93-yard drive.

Already leading by 10 (23-13), the Scots started the third quarter with the ball and Holter directed them down the field on an eight-play, 58-yard touchdown march. The senior quarterback completed two passes for nine yards and had runs of 21 and 10, the second of which accounted for the score.

DeGrand then all but sealed the win with his interception return at the 5:35 mark of the third quarter.

Overall, Wooster outgained its hosts, 393 to 321 yards in total offense. Holter was very efficient, completing 18-of-29 passes for 155 yards, with Mike Francescangeli as his top target as he caught six for 48 stripes.

Holter added 76 yards on the ground on just eight attempts, while Flagg had a game-high 88 on 22 rushes.

Defensively, Terhune, making his first career start, totaled a team-leading 11 tackles while making the key sack and fumble recovery.

The Scots continue NCAC action next Saturday as Denison University (1-1, 0-1 NCAC) comes to Wooster's Homecoming weekend for a 1 p.m. kickoff.