Gadler Ties Single-Game Program Record in Finale

WOOSTER, Ohio – Senior Brazos Gadler tied a College of Wooster football record in his career finale, but Wittenberg University's surge at the game's midpoint enabled the Tigers to coast to a 48-27 win on Saturday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium.

Gadler's four receiving touchdowns tied Wooster's (3-7, 2-6 North Coast Athletic Conference) single-game record, and it marked the fifth four-receiving touchdown game in program history. The senior had touchdown receptions of 65, three, 18, and 35 yards on Saturday. Gadler's 24 career receiving touchdowns are tied for the third-most in program history, and his 12 in 2024 are also the third-most in the Wooster annals. Gadler capped his career with 2,456 receiving yards, the third-best mark in program history, while his 926 yards this fall are fourth in the record book.

Gadler's first touchdown came with 10:09 on the first-quarter clock and was on a third-and-14 play from the Fighting Scots' 35-yard line. Senior Sebestyen Balassy's extra point tied Saturday's rivalry game at seven.

Wittenberg (5-4, 4-3 NCAC) retook the lead when Lucas Swierk booted a 36-yard field goal through the uprights with 6:33 to play in the first. Wooster was moving as it tried to answer back, but a fumble set Wittenberg up just past midfield. Five plays marked all Wittenberg needed to go up multiple scores, turning to Christian Manville, who ran the ball in 19 yards to make it 16-7 with 2:47 left in the first.

Wooster pulled within 17-14 on Gadler's second touchdown reception of the game. Junior Jarvis Mims Jr. showcased his ability to be a downfield threat, with a 30-yard reception on a deep ball after running downfield from the backfield. Later in the drive, Mims Jr.'s 3-yard rush moved the chains on fourth down prior to junior Chanden Lee finding Gadler in the corner of the end zone.

Wittenberg scored 10 points in the final 28 seconds of the first half. Manville's second rushing touchdown of the day made it 31-14 after Swierk knocked the extra point home. Then, Chris Hurd picked off Lee, giving Wittenberg the ball right back at Wooster's 15-yard line. Swierk nailed the 30-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 34-14 halftime lead.

Gadler's final touchdown of the afternoon came on the second play of the fourth quarter. The deep play pulled Lee's passing yards north of 300 for the afternoon. Lee passed for a career-high 354 yards in his return to action. The junior completed 25-of-38 passes and matched a career-best with four touchdowns.

Gadler ended the day with 169 yards on six receptions. Senior Andrew Hammer was next, turning five receptions into 46 yards with a long of 14. Mims Jr. led the ground game, rushing for 31 yards on 11 carries.

Sophomore Wyatt Wilkie's eight tackles led Wooster. The defensive back was followed by six tackles form sophomore Christian Kring and five each from senior Jacob Dugas, junior Braydon Hudson, junior Louie Lindsay, and junior DT Franklin.

Manville toted the ball 22 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Jayden Miller was 18-of-31 passing for 369 yards and four touchdowns. Eric Rasheed had 158 yards receiving on five catches.

Defensively, the Tigers' Tyre Smith had a game-high 10 tackles to go with a forced fumble. Cameron Snurr followed with eight tackles.

Wittenberg outgained Wooster 586-420. Both teams were 8-of-13 on third down.