Andrew Bell
Staff Writer
The football game on Saturday, Oct. 28 between the Fighting Scots and the Hiram College Terriers was filled with Black and Gold pride as the Wooster faithful cheered the team on to victory. The Black and Gold Weekend win was particularly jubilant since the day marked the inauguration of President Anne E. McCall. McCall was present for the game and discussed the importance of collegiate athletics to a liberal arts college like Wooster. She remarked, “We educate the whole student. We’re into health, self-development, and teamwork.”
The Fighting Scots’ teamwork was on full display throughout the entire game as Wooster played complimentary football. The numbers reflect their relentless pursuit on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Scots kept the Terriers in their doghouse all afternoon by totalling over 550 total yards, 6 touchdowns, a field goal and a safety. Wooster’s 304 rushing yards were racked up by six ball carriers, including four standouts, Chanden Lee ’26, Jarvis Mims Jr. ’26, Shakir Perkins ’26 and Maine Martin ’26, all with more than 50 yards each. Lee was 20 for 25 in the air and threw for 214 yards. All-American placekicker Lake Barrett ’24, finished the day as the fifth all-time leading scorer in program history with 226 points.
The defensive front held Hiram to only 11 rushing yards, an average of just 0.6 yards per carry. Defensive back Kieran Klingsberg ’27 was the leading tackler with six takedowns. P.T. Fischer ’24 was close behind with five tackles plus an interception. Neil Clayton ’24 broke through the line for two of the four Wooster sacks. Clayton and his teammates were stoked. “We were hyped — ready to come out! The Terriers’ QB caught me on bad timing,” said Clayton.
The line, backs and safeties repeatedly disrupted the Terriers’ offensive schedule and limited Hiram quarterback, Sean Tejeda ’26, to a less than 50% pass completion rate.
Wooster started strong with a 37-yard run by Brazos Gadler ’25 on a backwards pass from Lee who followed up with a 19-yard run of his own. The Scots were on the scoreboard early. Fischer picked off Hiram on their opening series, setting up the Scots for their second score when Mims punched the pigskin into the end zone from a yard away. The score was 14-0 with over ten minutes remaining in the first quarter. Wide receiver Andrew Hammer ’25 was wide open on a third down call and made the grab on Lee’s pass. Wooster was in command 21-0 by the end of the first quarter.
The Scots racked up two more touchdowns in the second quarter. A nine play, 70-yard scoring drive was marked by impressive catches from Hammer who caught his second touchdown pass on an 18-yard toss from Lee. Mims Jr. rumbled into the end zone on a 1-yard rush for Wooster’s second score of the quarter. Hiram’s brief scoring stint came at nearly the midway mark of the second quarter. Tejeda connected on a 24-yard pass completion followed by a good PAT. The teams went into their locker rooms at halftime with the Scots up 35-7.
The third quarter brought a variety of scoring opportunities for the Scots. After a made 34-yard field goal by Barrett, Domenic DeMuth ’24 plowed through the Terriers’ line, which ended in a safety and the end zone tackle of Hiram running back Gabriel Hoskins ’25. Wooster scored their final touchdown of the game when backup quarterback Noah Clark ’26 threw a completion to wideout Jordan Lewis ’26. Clark replaced an apparently injured Lee, but played with confidence and was perfect in the pass column, throwing four completions on four attempts. Clark’s poise was reflected in his comments after the game. “The whole entire quarterback room can go in and win a football game. We do what’s needed during the week so that we’re ready and prepared,” said Clark.
Hiram scored a late fourth quarter touchdown which closed out the scoring with a solid 47-14 win for Wooster. The Scots stayed aggressive for all four quarters and overwhelmed the Terriers. Fans and players alike were happy to place this game in the win column. However, the Fighting Scots will look to clean up a few miscues as they head into the final games of the season. A few defensive offside penalties and four turnovers are likely to be talking points as the Scots review film. Nonetheless, Head Coach Frank Colaprete was proud of his team and their relentless effort on this Black and Gold Weekend.
Colaprete reflected, “We came out fast, stayed focused, and finished strong. We could feel the energy from the players’ families, the fans, and the alumni. To coach football at Wooster on Black and Gold Weekend is an awesome experience.”
Saturday, Nov. 4 is the season’s final home game and Senior Day for the Fighting Scots as they faceoff with conference rival Oberlin College at 1:00 p.m.