The Wabash College defense accounted for six sacks, generated three turnovers, and held Ohio Wesleyan to 13 points in six trips to the red zone in a 30-13 victory in its annual Homecoming contest.
The Little Giants improved to 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in North Coast Athletic Conference play, while the Battling Bishops fell to 1-1 and 0-1.
Gavin Ruppert paced Wabash’s defense by matching his career-best mark 18 tackles. Ruppert finished the day with two sacks for 27 yards lost, five total tackles for losses totaling 29 yards, and one interception.
“This game was exactly what we thought it would be — just a nasty slug fest,” Wabash head coach Don Morel said. “The Wabash-OWU game is like this every year.”
“Our defense — when they need to bull their necks, they do,” Morel said. “We gave up some yards today, no doubt about it. Both defenses were exceptional in the red zone. It’s hard — you do not want to be first-and-goal at the nine-yard-line.”
Ohio Wesleyan out gained the Little Giants 425 yards to 285. Wabash’s defense limited Ohio Wesleyan to 82 yards on the ground. The Little Giants pestered the Ohio Wesleyan passing attack all game, racking up six sacks and grabbing two interceptions.
Xavier Tyler paced the Little Giants’ rushing attack by accumulating 79 yards and one touchdown. Brand Campbell added 55 yards on the ground, He entered the game for starter Blake White, who completed 10-of-17 passes for 78 yards and one score before leaving the game with an injury.
Campbell hit Kannon Chase on a 23-yard touchdown pass in the sophomore quarterback’s first throw of his collegiate career to put Wabash up 20-6.
“I was very happy for Brand Campbell, who threw a touchdown on his first play after coming in for an injured Blake White,” Morel said. “I’ve always had a theory about a backup quarterback going into a game: you should always throw the streak.”
The Little Giants won the turnover battle, forcing three turnovers while giving the ball up two times. Wabash turned those takeaways into 17 points.
Wabash will travel to Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday.
