Wooster Tripped Up in Michigan, 27-23

OLIVET, Michigan – A fourth-quarter turnover led to the go-ahead score for The University of Olivet, then The College of Wooster football team could not get a fourth-down stop to get the ball back in Saturday's 27-23 loss at Culter Athletic Complex.

Junior quarterback Chanden Lee's mastery of the read option gave Wooster (1-1) a 23-20 lead at the third quarter's 10:09 mark. Lee kept the ball and scored from 13 yards out, thanks largely to senior wideout Carter Warstler, who had the right side of the field sealed off with a strong block. For the second time in the game, senior placekicker Sebestyen Balassy and senior center Bryce Kamphues won a 2-on-2 battle on a two-point conversion rush.

Unfortunately, an Olivet (1-1) punt deflected off a Wooster player midway through the fourth quarter, setting the Comets up just shy of midfield. A 9-play, 51-yard drive ended with an 11-yard Dontal Wright go-ahead touchdown rush with 5:26 on the fourth-quarter clock.

Wooster's offense marched right down the field on its opening drive, needing 11 plays to round up the 77 yards needed for the touchdown. A 1-yard rush by junior Shakir Perkins was the scoring play, yet it was Warstler's explosiveness that extended the drive. The senior moved the first-down marker with a 26-yard reception on a third-and-6 snap. On the next play, a quick flick pass gave Warstler room to work in space, and he went for 25 yards, moving the ball to Olivet's 1-yard line.

A bad punt snap early in the second quarter gave Olivet the ball on Wooster's 18-yard line. Tronice Hammond covered the 18 yards for the touchdown on the drive's first play, and that put the Comets up 13-8 after the extra-point try was off the mark.

Wooster was down 20-8 when it scored just before halftime. Warstler caught a 9-yard Lee touchdown pass with 1:08 on the clock, and Balassy's extra point pulled Wooster within 20-15. Senior Brazos Gadler's 13-yard reception converted a third-down for Wooster. Earlier in the drive, sophomore Jace Austin picked up a pair of first downs, first on a 12-yard reception, then on an 8-yard catch-and-run.

Senior Neil Clayton stepped up in the final two minutes, tackling Hammond for no gain on a second-and-4 play. First-year Zay Wilkins won his battle and met Wright at the line of scrimmage on the third-down snap, setting up a fourth-and-4 play. Had Wooster made the stop, it would have gotten the ball back with about 1:40 on the clock. However, Thomas Foust's read option opened a seam for the quarterback to go for 20 yards and clinch the win.

Lee completed 29-of-42 passes for 243 yards, 82 of which went to Warstler. Lee was Wooster's leading rusher at 41 yards on 10 carries. Of note, Wooster's offensive line of seniors Tyler Ellsworth, Jacob Johnston, Logan Pugh, Seth Robinson, and Kamphues did not allow a sack for the second straight week.

Junior Wyatt Harris' career-high 14 tackles led the defense. Classmate Louie Lindsay logged an interception for the second straight game and followed with seven tackles.

Foust completed just 9-of-23 passes for 124 yards, but did rush for 93 yards on eight carries. Amir Jones was the defensive leader, matching Harris for the game-high in tackles.

Olivet outgained Wooster 366-311 and went 8-of-16 on third down, to an 11-of-17 showing for Wooster.

Next, Wooster opens conference play at DePauw University (2-0) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.