Granville, Ohio — After being held scoreless in the first half, the Denison football team rattled off three consecutive scores in the second half to come from behind and defeat Ohio Wesleyan 21-14. The win for the Big Red is the third consecutive, all in NCAC play, as the record improves to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in conference.
Denison forced the Battling Bishops into a three-and-out to open the game, setting the tone early on defense. The offense would have to punt after crossing midfield on their opening possession, and on the ensuing OWU drive,
Cole Harris snared an interception from CJ Jackson to set up the Big Red in enemy territory, forcing the only OWU turnover in the game.
Despite the takeaway, Denison would go three-and-out after consecutive incompletions, punting the ball away to the Bishops. Ohio Wesleyan would eat up the final five minutes of the first quarter as they carried possession into the second quarter, but were unable to score despite two fourth-down conversions, as the Big Red stood tall at the goal line with
Fin O'Brien breaking up a pass in the end zone to keep the game scoreless.
Denison went three-and-out from their own four-yard line after the turnover on downs, and following a strong
Luke Reed punt, the Bishops drove 60 yards, converting passes of 21 yards and 11 yards to Reed Wehr scored from the one-yard line on another fourth down play, making it a 7-0 game.
After the score, the Big Red saw a spark from
Kade Koroneos on special teams, as he ripped a 47-yard field goal to start the next series in enemy territory. The strong field position failed to result in points, as a
Brian Rager pass to
AJ Winders on fourth down was incomplete, giving the ball over on downs with 2:32 to play in the half.
Ohio Wesleyan would muster a late effort to get into Denison territory, but the defense would hold and force another punt, sending the game to halftime with the home team behind 7-0.
After the teams traded punts to start the third quarter, Denison put together a 12-play, 52-yard drive, converting fourth-and-3 at the OWU 30 on Rager's five-yard pass to
Blayton Reid before Reid scored from two yards, leveling the game 7-7 after
Sean Brechbill's point-after-try. The Bishops crossed midfield on the next possession, but would stall out as Denison's defense ramped the intensity, as
Nick Pellicciotta broke up a third-down pass and forced another OWU punt. Pinned inside the 10 after the kick, Rager immediately connected with
AJ Winders for 60 yards on the catch-and-run, changing the tone of the home sideline. Five plays later, the energized Big Red squad capped off 94-yard drive with Rager's three-yard touchdown, taking a 14-7 lead late into the final period.
Denison's defense continued to play strong into the fourth quarter, forcing two more punts on the Bishops' first two possessions of the period. The Big Red defense would be called on again after
Luke Reed fumbled as the offense was marching the field, and again, the defense made the necessary stops, forcing incomplete passes and being stout against the run.
With 5:32 remaining in the game, Denison started its final scoring drive, getting a 10-yard run out of Reid before Rager dialed up a deep-ball, connecting with
Graham Tonkonogy for 55-yards, as the receiver broke a tackle inside the 20 before crossing the goal line for the game-clinching score.
Leading 21-7, Denison would allow a late touchdown at the two-minute timeout as Ohio Wesleyan found a hole in the defense for a 27-yard passing strike, but the Bishops failed to recover the ensuing onside kick. Needing a first down to seal the game, the Big Red turned to their quarterback, and Rager picked up nine on third down to seal the win, as Denison exited family weekend on top 21-14.
In what was a tale of two halves, Denison out-gained Ohio Wesleyan 273-107 in the second half, after mustering just 39 yards of offense in the first half.
Rager finished the game completing 14 of 24 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown, adding another 41 yards on the ground with one score. Reid rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 18 carries, and
AJ Winders finished with three receptions for 85 yards, leading the receivers in yards. Winders also completed his only pass attempt for 10 yards on a trick play. Tonkonogy caught three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, finding the end zone for a third consecutive game.
Defensively,
Cole Harris picked off a pass for the second week in a row, while
Colton Morrow,
Nick Pellicciotta, and
Layton Reesor each made nine tackles.
Chase Daniel added seven stops in the Big Red win.
Looking to ride the winning momentum into the forthcoming bye week, Denison hosts Wabash College next Saturday, October 3, as they welcome the Little Giants to Deeds Field for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
