Game 8 - Wittenberg

Brad Horst recorded nine tackles, including two for losses, while limiting Wittenberg's high-powered offense to 14 points.

Matt Mahaffey, pictured here against Oberlin, punted six times for an average of 41.8 yards per punt.

Like last week, Wooster played well, but will look back upon this game and wonder how the outcome could have been different if not for some key turnovers. The most important turnover came right after a Tiger miscue. Wittenberg fumbled the opening kickoff and Wooster got possession deep in Tiger territory. But four plays later Jeff Elser fumbled at the three-yard line and the drive ended.

In the second quarter, Wooster was again driving for a score in a scoreless game when Rich Judd fumbled inside the Wittenberg 30-yard line. Both teams appeared to be headed into the halftime break without any points, until the Tigers drove 55 yards in the final minute of the first half, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Crane.

Wooster tied the score at 7-7 midway through the third quarter on a Brock Wanless two-yard touchdown run. Wittenberg responded, however, marching down the field and scoring a Crane to Kris Gerken 23-yard touchdown pass.

Early in the fourth quarter, Wooster started what could have been a tying touchdown drive, but Judd was picked off at the Tiger 15-yard line. Wooster got the ball back one last time with just over two minutes to play and got inside Wittenberg territory, but the Scots turned the ball over on downs.

Statistically, Wittenberg outgained Wooster 349-261. Judd completed 18-of-34 passes for 180 yards, while Wanless gained 43 yards on 15 carries. The one positive to come out of the game for Wooster was Brandon Good, who set a Division III record for catches in consecutive games with 38. He finished with eight catches for 71 yards.

Wooster, which dropped to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the NCAC, finish the season with home conference games against Case Reserve and Ohio Wesleyan.

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