Jordan McIntyre

The College of Wooster's Jordan McIntyre scored a 62-yard touchdown on the third offensive play of the third quarter to pull the Fighting Scots within 23-7, however, that was as close as they would get against a determined Ohio Wesleyan University team that staked a claim to the North Coast Athletic Conference title, its first since 1989, with a 36-12 victory Saturday afternoon in Delaware, Ohio.

Trailing by 23, Wooster (2-8, 1-6 NCAC) faced a 3rd-and-2 on its initial series out of halftime when Richard Barnes sent what was ruled a backwards pass to McIntyre on the right side and the senior slot got around the end, then sprinted down the sideline for his seventh touchdown this season.

The two squads exchanged a series of punts, five to be exact, including a 54-yard boot by Dana Obery, his fifth 50-yarder of the season, and then the Scots threatened to score again. Barnes directed them inside the red zone, only to be pushed back by a sack, followed by an interception on 4th-and-20.

On the ensuing possession, Ohio Wesleyan (9-1, 6-1 NCAC) scored in just four plays with quarterback Mason Espinosa hitting James DiBiasio for a 32-yard touchdown down the left sideline and a commanding 29-7 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Wooster answered on the next series, again reaching the red zone, but the Scots settled for a 32-yard field goal from Tyler Gerwig, who finished the year a solid 20-of-21 on extra points and 4-of-5 on field goals.

Now within 29-10, Keith Lemke made a key play on the kickoff as he forced a fumble and recovered it at the Battling Bishops' 29-yard line. Wooster, though, turned it over on the very next play, and Ohio Wesleyan eventually scored another touchdown with 6:49 remaining to seal the outcome and a share of the NCAC crown with Wittenberg University (9-1, 6-1 NCAC).

The Scots kept battling, with the offense driving into the red zone for a third time. This time, they advanced to a 4th-and-goal at the two-yard line, but John Battaglia was tackled at the one.

Wooster would get points out of it, as Paul Kessler and Seth Goodwin tripped up a Bishops' running back in the end zone on the next play for a safety, marking the Scots' first since 2009.

During the first half, Ohio Wesleyan's 23-point explosion included a touchdown just three offensive snaps into the game. The hosts started with a trick play, as a lateral went to Dave Mogilnicki, who then aired it out to fellow wide receiver Nick Ziegenbusch for 60 yards set up that score.

The Bishops picked up a field goal on their second possession, and then it remained 10-0 until they scored back-to-back touchdowns during the second quarter to take control.

Statistically, Battaglia led all players with 88 rushing yards, matching his career-high total established last week, while Barnes, back in the starting lineup after an injury, completed 21-of-43 passes for 174 yards. His top target was Zack Weidrick, who had eight receptions for 71 yards.

Espinosa directed Ohio Wesleyan's attack, throwing for 352 yards and touchdowns to four different receivers while connecting on 25-of-49 attempts.