Zane Wright
Contributing Writer
The College of Wooster football team got off to an explosive start in the first half of Saturday’s NCAC opener, scoring 42 points to give them a 42-10 lead at the half. Halftime did not slow them down as they continued to put up points, finishing the game with 63, the seventh most points scored in a game in school history. The defense put together a performance just as impressive as the offense, allowing only 10 points throughout the entire game, all 10 of which came in the first quarter.
Oberlin (1-2, 1-1 NCAC) took control early with a 10-7 lead, but Wooster (1-1, 1-0 NCAC) tightened up defensively to hold them at 10 for the remainder of the game. The offense also came out firing after trailing 10-7, finishing the game with 33 first downs, one short of the school record, as well as out-gaining Oberlin 574-324. 574 yards was the most yardage gained by Wooster since Nov. 3, 2007 when they had 584 yards at Earlham College.
Senior quarterback Richard Barnes ’15 commanded the Scots offense, accumulating five total touchdowns in the first half with four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He also completed 13 of his 15 passes for 233 yards and ran the ball 10 times for 23 yards. Barnes completed two touchdown passes to wide receiver Darrian Owens ’18, who finished with three receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Barnes also completed touchdown passes to Keir Pace ’16 and Justin Rice ’15. Pace led the team in receptions and yards, finishing with five catches for 79 yards. Rice finished the game with three catches for 46 yards.
Maintaining the lead for most of the game, the Scots were able to show their prowess in the running game. They ran the ball 53 times as a team, averaging 5.7 yards per carry with three players rushing for more than 50 yards. Leading the rushing attack was Sean Hackel ’15, who carried the ball 20 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Hackel scored the first touchdown of the game for the Scots when he scampered into the endzone from 12 yards out. Also contributing to the rushing attack were Tyler Smith ’18 and Derrick Johnson, Jr. ’18. Smith carried the ball 12 times for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson Jr. carried the ball 10 times for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively the Scots were led by captains Brandon James’15 and Mitchell Czerniak ‘15, who combined for 14 total tackles and three pass breakups. James was also a key contributor in the return game where he had five punt returns for 83 yards, which set up the Scots’ offense in excellent field position. Also making a huge contribution in the game was kicker Trevor Bowden ’18 who connected on all nine of his extra points. Bowden’s nine extra points tied for the second most in school history for a single game.
Wooster will try to bring the same defensive tenacity and offensive firepower this Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., for their home debut against Hiram College (2-1, 1-1 NCAC).