Junior Isaac LaFay's hit on Ohio Wesleyan University's Mysaun Sanders at The College of Wooster's 2-yard line knocked the football out, then senior linebacker Brandon Torres fell on the fumble in the end zone to deny the Battling Bishops a go-ahead score in the final seconds of the Fighting Scots' 24-20 win on Saturday afternoon at Selby Stadium.
Ohio Wesleyan (1-5, 0-4 North Coast Athletic Conference) took over on its 15-yard line with 1:27 remaining, needing a touchdown for the go-ahead score. The Bishops' hurry-up offense was working, as five plays had Ohio Wesleyan on Wooster's (4-3, 3-2 NCAC) 24-yard line. Sanders took a handoff on the next play, went around the right tackle, and bounced off a couple Wooster defenders before a hit from LaFay at the two put the football on the turf. Torres recovered in the end zone for a touchback, and Wooster took a knee from the 20 for the victory.
Wooster did a good job running the clock down after getting the ball back with 11:06 remaining. The Scots turned to sophomore Manny Zelaya for 10 rushes on its 15-play drive, which consumed 9:39 of clock. Junior quarterback Michael Boyle completed first-down passes of 10 and 16 yards to senior Tate Journell and sophomore Cam Crago, respectively, to keep the chains moving on third down. However, Wooster ultimately did not come away with points, as Jack Novak beat a lineman from the edge to spill Boyle for an 11-yard sack when the Scots went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Bishops' 4-yard line.
Wooster dominated early, taking a 24-7 lead into halftime. On the first drive, the Scots used 8:41 of clock and ran 14 plays before scoring. Boyle completed 8-of-9 passes for 60 yards, culminating with a 4-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Michael O'Brien. Because of the lengthy opening drive, Wooster held Ohio Wesleyan's offense to just seven plays in the quarter.
The second quarter saw senior wideout Jordan Lewis have a step on his Bishop corner, which resulted in a 61-yard catch-and-run before another OWU defender caught up for the tackle. First-year Nolan Hendricks capped the drive with a 30-yard field goal that made it 10-0 at the 9:54 mark.
Next, first-year Brody Snyder blocked an Ohio Wesleyan punt that set Wooster's offense up at the Bishops' 17-yard line. Two plays after the block, Boyle rolled to his left, buying senior wideout Tate Journell enough time to cut to the corner of the end zone. The duo connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass, and did it again, this time from three yards out in the final 10 seconds of the second quarter. Hendricks' extra point following Journell's ninth receiving touchdown of the season made it a 24-7 contest.
Ohio Wesleyan climbed back into the game with a 20-yard C.J. Jackson-to-Austin Koslow touchdown pass in the third quarter. Collin Wehner's 26-yard pick six had the Bishops within 24-20, but Ohio Wesleyan missed the extra point, forcing the need to score a touchdown instead of a game-tying field goal on the final drive.
Wooster had another big takeaway on Ohio Wesleyan's first drive of the second half. The Bishops inserted backup transfer quarterback Chanden Lee for the drive. Junior linebacker Christian Kring dropped him for a 10-yard sack on his first look to pass. Four plays later, Lee threw a floating ball up across his body for the end zone, resulting in an easy interception for first-year defensive back Grady Harban, who had already secured position in front of the intended Bishop receiver.
Boyle completed 24-of-35 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. He moved into the program's top-10 for most passing touchdowns in a season at 17. Journell had 81 yards on seven receptions with two touchdowns. Zelaya toted the ball 26 times for 87 yards.
Defensively, senior Brock Sivon made 11 tackles to lead the Scots. Senior Louie Lindsay followed with nine stops and two breakups. LaFay, who had the game-saving forced fumble, consistently blew past Ohio Wesleyan's line, evidenced by three quarterback hurries on the afternoon.
Jackson completed 18-of-35 passes for 224 yards and two scores for Ohio Wesleyan. Sanders was the leading rusher with 56 yards on 10 carries.
Grant Johnson totaled 10 tackles and half a sack to pace the Bishops' defense.
Wooster held Ohio Wesleyan to 356 yards of offense, marking the fourth straight game keeping the opponent south of 400 stripes for the game. The teams combined to go 12-of-29 on the third down.
Key in Wooster's win was a 37:41-22:19 lead on time of possession.
Next, Wooster plays at No. 14 John Carroll University (5-1, 4-0 NCAC) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. John Carroll's Saturday game at No. 11 DePauw University (5-0, 3-0 NCAC) was in an extended lightning delay as of recap posting time with the Blue Streaks leading 21-13 late in the third quarter.
