Tigers Drop Season Opener To BW
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
14 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | (RV) Baldwin Wallace | Wittenberg |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 220 | 144 |
| Rushing Yards | 172 | 80 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of Poss. | 37:02 | 22:58 |
SPRINGFIELD, OH - The Wittenberg Tigers opened the 2025 season with a 31-13 home loss to Baldwin Wallace. It was the second straight year that Wittenberg dropped its opener to the Yellow Jackets, who recorded a 24-14 decision on their home turf in 2024.
Baldwin Wallace took control of the game early, driving for touchdowns on the first two possessions while holding the Tigers without a first down until late in the first quarter. By halftime, the Yellow Jackets had pushed the lead to 24-0.
Wittenberg outscored the visitors 13-7 in the second half. Pierce Ayers (Alexandria, KY / Williamsburg) caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from JJ Miller () to finally break the ice with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter. That score was set up by an interception by Jeremiah Jones (Tampa, FL / Sumner).
The Tigers wrapped up the scoring with 2:13 left in the game as Henry Jones (Cumming, GA/Landmark Christian) hauled in a 12-yard pass from Miller.
Baldwin Wallace finished the game with 354 yards of total offense as the Yellow Jackets held a commanding edge in time of possession (37:02 to 22:58 for Wittenberg). BW finished with a good mix of passing and rushing yards at 211 to 143 as quarterback Charlie Bubonics completed 17-of-25 passes in the game and George Linberger led a host of Yellow Jacket ballcarriers with 87 hard-earned yards on the ground.
For Wittenberg, Miller completed 17-of-29 passes in the game, and he was the team's leading rusher with 34 yards on 14 carries. Kade Ray (Sun City Central, FL / Jule F. Sumner) was his favorite target with 66 yards on five receptions, while Ayers added 31 yards and a touchdown on five catches.
Wittenberg's defensive unit was led by three players in double figures for tackles. Tyre Smith (Sarasota, FL / Riverview) piled up 15 tackles, including nine solo stops, Luke Jackson (DeGraff, OH/Riverside) added 14 tackles, including seven solos, and Will Dix Jr. (Parma Heights, OH / Holy Name) finished with 10 tackles, including a pair of sacks.
The Tigers are back at home in Week 2 against Washington & Lee. Kick time for that contest is set for 1 p.m.
Written By: Ryan Maurer