Junior
Cam Crago's return to the defensive side of the ball brought the electric playmaking in the form of two blocked punts and an interception, but Wilmington College held on to top The College of Wooster football team 22-19 on Thursday evening at John P. Papp Stadium.
Wooster (0-1) needed a spark as Wilmington (1-0) dropped 16 first-quarter points on the scoreboard, and found just that from Crago. The junior's lengthy 6-5 frame got a piece of
Avery Ernst's punt late in the first quarter. Junior
Charlie Scoggin recovered it at Wooster's 30, and the Fighting Scots' first big play – a 40-yard senior
Michael Boyle-to-junior
Chance Bennett pass occurred a few plays later.
On the first play of the second quarter, Boyle again connected with his leading returning wideout, as Bennett pulled down a 22-yard touchdown reception in the end zone. Keeping the momentum rolling, Crago sent Ernst's next punt backwards with the second block, but the Fighting Scots could not capitalize on the short field once the offense took over.
Wooster did get within 16-12 with 1:54 to go before halftime when first-year
Zeek Seraphin's first collegiate touchdown went on the board. He caught a 7-yard Boyle pass for the six-pointer. However, Wilmington answered right back, with
Darryl Story running the kickoff to the Quakers' 48-yard line. The guests needed just three plays to find the end zone.
The score did not change until a Crago-sparked play set the stage. The linebacker picked off
Miles Hostetler on a deflected pass on the second play of the fourth quarter. First-year
DaJahn Corbin made the initial pass breakup on the play, with Crago snatching the ball out of the air. With the offense set up at Wilmington's 3-yard line, Wooster turned to junior
Manny Zelaya on the ground, and he punched in the 1-yard score with 13:39 to go in the game.
Wooster's pass rush was another bright spot, with the Scots sacking Hostetler four times on the night. First-year
Brody Eckelbarger logged the biggest hit, spilling Hostetler for a 10-yard loss. Senior
Christian Kring and senior
Quan Russell made their presence felt in the Quakers' backfield with two of the Scots' other three sacks, while Crago and first-year
Jacob Dudek split the fourth.
Bennett turned five receptions into 115 yards to lead all receivers. Boyle finished 13-of-37 passing for 245 yards and two scores. Junior
Austin Fancher was the leading Wooster rusher, toting the ball 22 times for 48 yards with a long of 13.
Junior transfer
Anthony Sines picked Hostetler off in the end zone for the Scots' other takeaway on the night and was one of five Scots with at least five tackles on the night. Sophomore
Grady Harban stayed busy from his corner position, making a team-leading nine tackles, seven of which were solo stops.
Hostetler went 18-of-33 passing for 208 yards and a touchdown.
Kaiden Molnar was the difference maker, turning 15 carries into 170 yards. He broke off a 64-yard run on the opening drive and Wooster did a good job shutting him down in the second half.
Miller Fall made eight tackles, two of which came behind Wooster's line of scrimmage.
Wooster had 288 yards of offense compared to 375 for Wilmington. Wooster limited Wilmington on third down, as the Quakers went 3-of-12.
Next, Wooster travels to Kenyon College (0-0) for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, September 12.
