Andrew Bell
Staff Writer
The Fighting Scots’ defense stole the show in a rivalry showdown against Oberlin. Wooster’s defense set the tone throughout the contest, generating a sack in the first play of the game. Later, the Scots generated a goal line stop, their third in 2 weeks. Michael Boyle ’27 and his offense were able to feed off the defensive effort, scoring 35 on the Yeomen.
Wooster began the day on defense after Nolan Hendricks ’29 booted the ball away. Braydon Hudson ’26 created the first negative play of the game as he powered through the Yeomen’s line and dragged Oberlin’s Drew Nye ’26 down for a 3-yard sack. Hudson’s sack set the pace for Wooster’s defense, as they forced 4 consecutive 3-and-outs. Meanwhile, Boyle and his squad placed 10 points on the scoreboard. Wooster’s opening score came on a Ryker Green ’29 8-yard rush. Wooster’s 9-play scoring drive was almost halted after 2 false starts. Undeterred, Head Coach Austin Holter spurred his offense on, going for it on 4th and 17. Boyle found a sprinting Cam Crago ’28, who converted the long fourth down with a 24-yard reception. Crago’s reception set Green up for his scoring rush. Hendricks put up 3 points for the Scots on their next drive, making the score 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Wooster’s offense then slowed down until late in the second quarter. The Scots executed a two-minute drill as Boyle started the drive with a 36-yard lob to Jordan Lewis ’26 to the Oberlin 49-yard line. An Oberlin defensive pass interference call pushed the ball deeper into Yeomen territory. Boyle capped the drive off with consecutive completions to Tate Journell ’26 and Chance Bennett ’28, respectively. Bennett’s 19-yard catch added 7 more to Wooster’s total before the half. At the break, Wooster led 17-0.
Boyle’s squad continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter through 3 touchdown conversions. The Scots’ first score of the period came on a 4-play drive. Boyle threw the football to Bennett for 29 yards, then to Journell for 11 yards, eventually scoring on a 29-yard snag by Crago. A bobbled snap by Oberlin’s punter set the Scots inside the red zone on their ensuing drive. Boyle capitalized quickly in 56 seconds, connecting with Journell for the touchdown. An Oberlin turnover on downs gave Wooster another chance to score on a shortened field. Green capitalized with a rush into the endzone after a defensive pass interference was called on the Yeomen. Green delivered Wooster’s final touchdown of the day as the Scots played a reserved game throughout the fourth quarter.
Contrasting Wooster’s offensive restraint, the Scots’ defense continued to beat back their rivals. Oberlin began finding success moving the ball, entering Wooster territory twice in the final quarter. Grady Harban ’29 led Wooster’s first defense of the shutout, shutting down a heave towards the endzone on fourth down. The Yeomen were quickly back on the ball and pushing to score a touchdown to get on the board. Damion Cunningham ’28 made the first bid to save Wooster’s shutout after chasing down a receiver who ran for 42 yards. Cunningham’s desperate tackle placed the ball at Wooster’s 6-yard line. A war of attrition between a desperate offense and the Scots began as the ball was snapped. A short pass pushed the ball to Wooster’s 4-yard line, but Wyatt Harris ’26 held the Yeomen back after blowing up a screen play. A pass breakup by Brady Keller ’29 and an incompletion sealed the deal for the Scots’ defense. The final from Oberlin College: Wooster – 38 Oberlin – 0.
Wooster’s shutout victory was their first since 2019. Ironically, that game was also against the Yeomen in a 17-0 victory. The defense held Oberlin to -6 rushing yards through all 4 quarters. Starting defensive tackle DT Franklin ’26 asserted that his defense is “very gritty. [Our defensive play] comes down to our determination to show who is stronger on the line of scrimmage.” First year defensive line coach Keyshon Camp is focused on carrying last week’s momentum into the Wooster-Wittenberg game. “[We have to] play with passion and make sure we do everything we can to get this win.” Wooster is seeking revenge after a 2-game losing streak to their rivals, the Wittenberg University Tigers. Moreover, the annual rivalry game will have massive conference standings implications, as both squads are tied with a 1-1 NCAC record. Coach Camp assured that his guys would be ready. “I can’t wait to see the atmosphere this Saturday.”
The Fighting Scots return to John P. Papp stadium to face archrival Wittenberg this Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
