Second Quarter Blitz Sends Tigers Past Washington University

Second Quarter Blitz Sends Tigers Past Washington University

Brandyn Brown

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A year after the Wittenberg Tigers saw a promising 2008 season derailed in a hail of turnovers, blocked kicks and injuries in a 30-27 home loss to Washington University, retribution was swift and thorough in a 46-0 Tiger win.

Wittenberg scored a school-record 36 points in the second quarter alone to race out to a 43-0 halftime lead. The Tigers continued to control the ball over the final 30 minutes, putting together several long drives primarily on the ground while continuing to play stifling defense. In moving to 2-0 on the young season, Wittenberg has allowed just six points and 216 yards of total offense in road wins over Olivet and Washington University, which suffered its worst loss in the 21-year tenure of Head Coach Larry Kindbom.

After the Tigers took a first-quarter lead on a five-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Aaron Huffman (Newark, Ohio/Newark) to sophomore wide receiver Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) and a second possession was thwarted by a controversial fumble call near the Washington University goal line, Wittenberg took control in the second quarter.

It started with a one-yard touchdown plunge by junior tailback Corey Weber (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) and then the floodgates opened after senior safety Trent Brunic (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) intercepted a pass and returned it to the Washington University four-yard-line. Huffman hooked up with McKee again on the next play, and the rout was on. Senior cornerback Keenan Freeman (Fairborn, Ohio/Greenon) followed with a safety on a blocked punt, and then senior cornerback Brandyn Brown (Louisville, Ky./Male) returned the ensuing punt 83 yards to paydirt.

Weber added a two-yard touchdown run and then sophomore tailback Conner Warye (Cincinnati, Ohio/Kings) rounded out the second-quarter blitz with a 39-yard touchdown reception from Huffman. The Tigers' lone score in the second half came on a 22-yard field goal by senior kicker Zack Harris (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Alder), which capped a drive that encompassed 15 plays and 8:53 off the clock.

Huffman was efficient against the team that ended his 2008 season, completing 14 of 20 passes for 217 yards and three scores. Weber, Warye and senior tailback Jeff Wilbur (Ann Arbor, Mich./Community) led a rushing attack that churned out 208 total yards, finishing with totals of 73, 21 and 74 yards respectively. Seven different Tiger receivers caught at least one pass, led by McKee with six catches for 79 yards.

Defensively, the Tigers were dominant. Washington University managed just eight first downs and 99 yards of total offense in the game. On the ground, Wittenberg held standout tailback Jim O'Brien to 31 yards on 15 carries and sacked Bear quarterbacks four times. As a result, Washington University finished the game at -7 yards rushing.

Individually, Wittenberg's defense was paced by junior end Eddie Vallery (South Solon, Ohio/Madison Plains), who contributed eight tackles, including four for loss, two sacks and a pass broken up. Junior linebacker Brad McKinley (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) added seven tackles, including one for loss.

The Tigers' 2009 home opener is next up on the schedule as Ohio Wesleyan comes calling for a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) contest on Saturday, Sept. 26. The game will be a Community Night celebration, with a 7 p.m. kickoff scheduled.

Written by: Ryan Maurer