The College of Wooster football team's defense made a goal-line stand for the second straight week, and this one preserved the Fighting Scots' 38-0 shutout of Oberlin College on Saturday afternoon at Dick Bailey Field.
Oberlin (0-4, 0-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) had first-and-goal from Wooster's (2-2, 1-1 NCAC) 6-yard line in the final minutes. Senior linebacker Wyatt Harris tackled Oberlin's Miguel Garcia at the 4-yard line, then spilled running back Jayden Eaton for a 2-yard loss on a Drew Nye check-down completion on second down. First-year defensive back Brady Keller broke up a third-down touchdown pass intended for Connor Steele in the end zone, then Nye's fourth-down pass was off the mark.
Wooster's defense was equally impressive at the onset, as the Scots allowed four yards of offense in the first quarter and forced the Yeomen into four straight three-and-outs to start the game. Senior linebacker Braydon Hudson sacked Nye on the first offensive play of the game, then classmate Brandon Torres snuffed out a swing pass on third down for a 2-yard loss. Junior defensive lineman Isaac LaFay spilled Nye for a 2-yard sack on the first play of the second quarter, while senior Brock Sivon and Hudson held Massimo Vilet to a 2-yard gain on a third-and-4 snap that capped the run of three-and-outs.
Offensively, Wooster went for it on fourth-and-17 from Oberlin's 31-yard line on its opening drive. Junior Michael Boyle found sophomore Cam Crago wide open for a 24-yard completion. Then, first-year Ryker Green, who provided a big boost to Wooster's ground game, scored from seven yards out. First-year placekicker Nolan Hendricks knocked his first collegiate field goal through the uprights from 25 yards out to extend Wooster's lead to 10-0 with 13 ticks left in the first quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver Chance Bennett caught his second touchdown pass of the season late in the second quarter from 19 yards out to help Wooster take a 17-0 halftime lead. In the third, a 29-yard Boyle-to-Crago completion went in the books as a touchdown. Later in the third, Oberlin punter Jackson Garstka dropped the snap, resulting in Wooster taking over inside the red zone. Wooster wasted no time upping its lead to 31-0, as senior Tate Journell's 13-yard touchdown reception came with 4:25 on the clock. Wooster's final score was a Green 8-yard rush with 11 seconds remaining in the third.
Boyle completed 15-of-27 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Wooster's receiving was spread out among Bennett, Crago, Journell, and senior Jordan Lewis, who all had at least 44 yards on the day. Green toted the ball nine times for 59 yards and two scores to lead Wooster's rushers.
Defensively, Hudson's nine tackles were the game-high, as were the senior's three tackles-for-loss. LaFay totaled half of Wooster's four sacks, while senior Louie Lindsay anchored the back end of the defense with three of the Scots' seven pass breakups.
Nye completed 21-of-38 passes for 163 yards. CJ Cooper II caught seven passes for 48 yards. Eaton was the leading rushers at six carries for 16 stripes.
Hunter Green led Oberlin's defense with eight tackles. Andrew Foley followed with five and a pair of pass breakups.
Wooster outgained Oberlin 335-174 and held the Yeomen to 5-of-15 on third down.
Next, Wittenberg University (2-2, 1-1 NCAC) visits John P. Papp Stadium for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, Oct. 4.