Tigers Overwhelm Ohio Wesleyan To Win NCAC Opener
The Wittenberg Tigers ambushed a second straight opponent, streaking out to a 21-0 lead before the end of the first quarter en route to a 52-0 whitewashing of visiting North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Ohio Wesleyan.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers ambushed a second straight opponent, streaking out to a 21-0 lead before the end of the first quarter en route to a 52-0 whitewashing of visiting North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Ohio Wesleyan.
Wittenberg improved to 2-0 on the young season, while the Battling Bishops dropped to 0-2. It was the fourth straight win by Wittenberg over Ohio Wesleyan, and the third consecutive shutout in the series. It was the widest margin of victory in the series, which dates back to 1894, since a 63-0 Wittenberg win in 2003.
Plenty of different Tiger players got into the act, starting with senior tailback Corey Weber (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) on a three-yard run to cap a 71-yard drive at the 10:12 mark of the first quarter. Weber went on to add a touchdown run late in the first quarter and a 28-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter.
Weber was outdone, however, by senior wide receiver Anthony Kralich (Kettering, Ohio/Alter), who enjoyed his most productive day as a collegian. It started with a 96-yard touchdown catch at the 8:56 mark of the first quarter and it continued with a seven-yard scoring catch that made it 35-0 late in the second quarter. He finished with four catches for 150 yards and his first two touchdowns since his freshman year.
Rounding out the scoring were junior tailback Conner Warye (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) and sophomore tailback Josh Boggan (Wyoming, Ohio/Wyoming), in addition to sophomore kicker Sean Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield), who tacked on a 20-yard field goal.
Weber, Warye and Boggan were part of a rushing attack that accumulated 234 yards on 47 carries, with 24 of those coming from junior quarterback Ben Zoeller (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier). He did most of his damage, however, through the air, posting his first 300-yard passing game on just 13 completions. In addition to Kralich, he kept junior wide receiver Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh)busy with five catches for 100 yards.
The Tiger defense was outstanding, holding its second straight opponent to less than 150 yards in total offense. Senior linebacker Brad McKinley (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) led with 10 tackles, while senior linebacker Ben Maxwell (Kettering, Ohio/Alter) added seven tackles, including a sack, and a pass broken up. Also of note was the play of sophomore defensive back Karlos Marshall (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield), who registered his first collegiate interception to go along with a pair of pass break-ups.
Wittenberg wraps up a season-opening three-game homestand on Saturday, Sept. 18, against Washington University. Kick time is noon.