Mims Jr., Wooster Run Past Hiram, 30-20

HIRAM, Ohio – Fullbacks Christian Kring and Roman LaBrosse cleared the way for Jarvis Mims Jr. to score from 2 yards out on fourth down with 1:55 remaining to put The College of Wooster football team up two scores in Saturday's 30-20 win at Hiram College.

Senior defensive end Jacob Dugas owned the edge on Hiram's (0-7, 0-5 North Coast Athletic Conference) final drive, which ultimately sealed the win for Wooster (3-6, 2-5 NCAC). He forced Hiram's Jaden Jennings to the right on first down before the Terriers' quarterback had to throw the ball away. On second down, Dugas' pressure led to another incomplete pass.

Jennings just managed to elude Dugas on the third-down snap, but that enabled junior linebacker Braydon Hudson to trip the quarterback up for a 4-yard sack. The pass rush did not get there on fourth down, but Jennings overthrew the intended target, who was well covered by a trio of Fighting Scots.

Mims Jr. was the headliner all afternoon, keeping the offense consistently moving. The junior rushed for a career-high 202 yards on 33 carries, with that equating to a 6.1 average. Mims Jr.'s outing marked Wooster's first 200-yard rushing game since Sean Hackel went for 205 stripes again Hiram a decade ago, and it is the 28th 200-yard game in program history.

The junior running back opened the day's scoring with a 7-yard touchdown rush at the first quarter's 11:31 mark. Mims Jr.'s dominance started from the opening carry, as he accounted for 51 of the 67 yards on six carries on Wooster's opening drive.

Hudson blew right past Hiram's right guard late in the second quarter and had Jennings wrapped up in the end zone. Hiram's quarterback was able to get a pass off, but was flagged for intentional grounding, give Wooster a safety and a 9-6 lead.

Senior Brazos Gadler returned the free kick 28 yards to Hiram's 47 yard line, and a 15-yard personal foul moved Wooster up to the 32. Mims Jr. was the focal point, gaining 30 yards over four carries before sophomore quarterback Michael Boyle kept the ball on a sneak for a 3-yard touchdown. Senior Sebestyen Balassy's extra point upped Wooster's lead to 16-6 with 1:39 on the first-half clock.

Hiram was within 16-13 following a 23-yard Jennings touchdown pass to RJ Johnson in the third quarter. However, Gadler caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Boyle on the opening play of the fourth quarter, and Balassy's extra point extended the lead back to 10.

Wooster's lead was trimmed to three with 7:39 remaining in the game. The Mims Jr. ground attack helped take 5:37 off the clock when he finally scored with 1:55 remaining. Senior Andrew Hammer was an ultimate difference-maker as well, turning Wooster's lone pass attempt of the decisive drive into a 43-yard catch-and-run.

Boyle's efficiency continued to shine, with Wooster's quarterback completing 11-of-15 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. Hammer was the leading receiver with 108 yards on four receptions. Wooster ran for 259 yards overall and averaged 4.8 yards per rush.

Hudson led the defense with eight tackles and two sacks. Junior Brandon Torres was next on the stat sheet with six tackles, while junior defensive back Louie Lindsay and junior defensive lineman Paul Ehenger were listed with five each.

Jennings was 13-of-24 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson was the leading rusher with 77 yards on 11 carries. Dylan Hargas turned three receptions into 101 yards, 86 of which came on a touchdown catch.

Hiram's defense was led by a 14-tackle afternoon from Gavin Cruser. Kole Taray was next with 12 tackles.

Wooster outgained Hiram 426-353. Wooster was 6-of-13 on third downs, while Hiram ended the afternoon 8-of-14.

Wooster is idle on November 9 and concludes its season with a 1 p.m. home game against Wittenberg University (4-3, 3-2 NCAC) on Saturday, November 16.