Austin Holter

College of Wooster quarterback Austin Holter rushed for a career-high 137 yards, highlighted by a 27-yard touchdown with 2:18 remaining that lifted the Fighting Scots a 24-20 comeback victory at Washington University-St. Louis Saturday in non-conference action in St. Louis, Mo.

With another 272 passing yards, Holter combined for 409 yards of total offense – the second-most of his career – and 79 of them came during the decisive drive. Trailing by three with 6:13 left on the clock, Wooster (4-2) put the ball in its senior signal caller's hands as the offense took over on its own 21. Holter completed 5-of-6 passes for 38 yards and rushed it the other five plays for 46 yards, capped by the game-winner. Prior to that 27-yard score, Holter converted a 4th-and-1 with a three-yard run.

Wash. U.-St. Louis (2-4) returned the ensuing kickoff to its 38-yard line and mustered one first down, but could not advance any further as the Scots' Chris Aukerman came up with a key seven-yard sack to help seal the win.

After allowing a touchdown on the game's opening drive, Wooster scored 17 unanswered points. First, Russ Palm booted through a 22-yard field goal to close the Scots' initial possession after marching 60 yards over 12 plays.

Following a defensive stop inside its own five-yard line, Wooster mounted its longest drive of the year, going 96 yards with just three of the 16 plays covering 10-plus yards during that stretch – 14-, 30-, and 10-yard passes to Cameron Daniels, Jordan McIntyre, and Mike Francescangeli. The last of those being a crossing route on 2nd-and-goal for the score to make it 10-7 midway through the second quarter.

The Scots' offense would commit a rare turnover on its third possession, but late in the half, Holter went to the air six times in a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown march. The last two passes both went to Mike Redick, with the first 15 yards and the second being a 30-yard score for a 17-3 cushion at the 1:30 mark.

The Bears, however, would return the favor with a quick strike from their offense, thanks in part to a kickoff return to midfield. Wash. U.-St. Louis went the final 50 yards in five plays, finishing with an 11-yard pass play from Steve Sherman to Tom Gulyas, which made it 17-13 at the break.

Wooster started the second half with a rare three-and-out on the offensive side and the Bears kept their momentum via a 13-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. They took the lead when Matt Glenn plunged in from a yard away.

The Scots' offense responded by moving the ball throughout the third and fourth quarters, only to be turned away in the red zone twice as it was held out of the end zone on a 4th-and-goal opportunity from the one-yard line and committed a fumble on Wash. U.-St. Louis' 10. Fortunately for Wooster, its defense kept it in the game, forcing a turnover on downs and a couple of punts, prior to the game-winning drive.

Holter outgained the Bears by himself, with the Scots holding a 481-296 advantage in total offense. While the game may be remembered for his performance on the ground, he also set a school record with a 26-of-34 performance through the air. That .765 completion percentage marked the best for a single-game with a minimum of 25 attempts.

Another noteworthy performance came from freshman Jordan McIntyre, who with his 10 receptions for 109 yards became the first Wooster player in nine seasons to have a 10-catch game. The last to do so was wide receiver Chris Cabot on Sept. 9, 2000.

Jim O'Brien gave Wash. U.-St. Louis a 100-yard rusher with 105 on 26 carries, while Sherman wound up 14-of-28 for 150 yards.

The Scots return to North Coast Athletic Conference action Saturday when Wabash College (5-1, 3-1 NCAC) visits John P. Papp Stadium at 1 p.m.