Game 9 - Wittenberg

The Scots huddle up after upsetting Wittenberg 21-19, the first time a Wooster team has beaten the Tigers since 1949.

The game, which was played in rainy and muddy conditions, swung on many plays, but utimately was decided with just 2:46 left in the fourth quarter.

With Wooster clinging to a 21-19, Wittenberg started its final offensive possession at their own six-yard line. After three incompletions, the Tigers stayed alive when the Scots were flagged for a pass interference call at the 21-yard line on fourth down. Two plays later, Wittenberg quarterback Shaun Brown hit Jason Love on a 47-yard pass to the Wooster 32-yard line with 1:50 to play. Again, the Scot defense stood tough, forcing three more incompletions from Brown. After each team called timeout, Brown threw a pass up for wide receiver Rodney Hopkins, who nearly caught it before it was knocked away by Wooster defender Shawn Marks. With the Tigers out of timeouts, the Scots kneeled down on the final three plays for the victory.

To put this win in perspective, Wooster had not beaten Wittenberg since 1949, and has not won or shared a conference title since 1959. If the Scots can beat Ohio Wesleyan next week and both Wittenberg and Allegheny win, the three teams will share the conference crown.

Brad Horst celebrates Wooster's emotional win over Wittenberg.

The Scots had to overcome some major adversity to pull out the victory. On Wooster's first possession, quarterback Rich Judd hit Brandon Good on a 40-yard touchdown pass, but immediately had to leave the game because of a strained shoulder. He did not return.

That left the quarterback duties to freshman Justin Abraham, who did not play great (8-of-22 for 73 yards), but performed well under the circumstances.

Wooster's 7-0 lead held until the 14:56 mark of the second quarter, when the Tigers connected on a 29-yard field goal. With 5:46 to play before halftime, Wittenberg scored again, this time on a 11-yard touchdown run by Chris Lampley. That lead appeared to be safe going into halftime, but with just over a minute to play in the second quarter, Reggie Ray blocked J.D. Flack's punt from the Wittenberg two-yard line, and it was recovered by Ian Lauer in the end zone for a touchdown.

After the Tigers added another field goal early in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14-13, Wooster mounted what turned out to be the game-winning drive. The Scots started at the Wittenberg 47-yard line, thanks to an interception by Kevin Brown, one of two on the day. Wooster eventually moved the ball to the one-yard line, where David Yokley scored to give the Scots a 21-13 lead.

Wittenberg responded immediately, moving 59 yards in just 2:06 to cut the lead to two points. But the two-point conversion failed, and that proved to be the final margin of victory.

Statistically, Wittenberg outgained Wooster 283-185, but were hurt by three interceptions and one fumble. Shaun Brown finished 11-of-36 for 196 yards, while Lampley had 69 yards on 19 carries. Jeff Elser gained 68 yards on 16 carries for Wooster. Both teams currently stand 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

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