John Battaglia

For the second consecutive week, The College of Wooster faced a three-score deficit, and for the second consecutive week, the Fighting Scots battled back and had an opportunity to extend the game, or win it this time, but Case Western Reserve University held on for the 31-28 victory in the teams' "Baird Brother Trophy" game at Cleveland, Ohio.

Early in the fourth quarter, Jordan McIntyre got free for a 41-yard touchdown pass from Richard Barnes to pull Wooster (1-4) within three points after previously trailing by 17 on three occasions – 17-0, 24-7, and 31-14.

The Scots got two more possessions, but were unable to attempt a tying field goal or find the end zone. On the first, Wooster started from just about midfield and went for it on 4th-and-1 from the 38, only to be turned away by Case Western Reserve (3-3) with 5:52 remaining.

The Spartans gained a first down on the ensuing series, then pinned the Scots back at their own 10. Wooster lost eight yards to the two-yard line, where it was forced to punt, and then Case Western Reserve managed two first downs to run off the clock.

During the first quarter, the Spartans scored three times, their second touchdown aided by a Scots' fumble on a kickoff return that gave their offense a short field.

After going down 17 early, Wooster settled in and started chipping away as it responded with a 13-play, 69-yard drive, capped by a John Battaglia one-yard touchdown run.

Case Western Reserve would answer in just four offensive plays with a touchdown of its own to make it a 17-point margin (24-7) again, but the Scots grabbed the momentum back late in the half with Zack Weidrick receiving a 30-yard touchdown connection from Barnes for a quick five-play, 48-yard possession that took less than a minute.

Within 10 at halftime, Wooster began the third quarter with the ball, however, it was the Spartans who scored on their initial possession of the second half to boost their cushion to 17 points one last time (31-14).

On the following series, the Scots steadily marched 70 yards over 14 plays. McIntyre scored via a seven-yard play through the air to make it 31-21 with 4:44 left in the third.

Linebacker Quinn Hood set up McIntyre's second touchdown, as he intercepted Case Western Reserve's signal caller and returned it into the hosts' territory at the 9:30 mark of the fourth quarter. Wooster scored just 29 seconds later, but that would be the end of the offense.

Individually, Barnes produced a season-high 213 passing yards while completing 19-of-32. McIntyre was the top target again as he finished with eight receptions, season-best 90 yards, and the two scores, while Battaglia rushed for 77 yards in the most action he's seen this year (21 carries).

For Case Western Reserve, Erik Olson was 12-of-26 through the air for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Sean Lapcevic and Brian Rice combined for nine catches and 188 yards, and they each had a score, and Ricky Hanzlik matched Battaglia's rushing total with 77 on 18 totes.

The Scots will be home next Saturday night for a visit from Hiram College (0-5, 0-3 NCAC).