Good punt by Cam Sobleski
Stop by AJ Akinribade
Sean Hildebrand makes a cut
CP Porter makes a cut
Michael Putko tries to complete a pass
CP Porter makes a move
Team tackle
Wes Brown helping keep the defense away
Tyler McCullen tried to block the pass
Justin Woods flies in for the tackle
Fumble!
Drake Christen turns upfield
Sean Hildebrand
Nate Scola on the stop
Houston Hodges turns upfield as Jon Laird provides a key block
Cam Sobleski on the punt
AJ Akinribade
Josh Wright returning a kickoff
Stop by Connor Karns
Cody Buresh stops the runner for a loss
Michael Putko
Jon Laird on the reception
Stop by Jorge Diaz-Aguilar
Eddie Chemil on the stop - just a little it late
Defense and special teams have propelled Wabash all year. Wittenberg ran for 145 yards on the defense and took advantage of 12 Little giant penalties en route to a 35-17 win and NCAC championship.
“We played awful in the first half — terrible on special teams,” Coach Erik Raeburn said. “The penalties were ridiculous and when you play a good football team like that, you can’t overcome mistakes and penalties.”
The Little Giants would have won the conference championship with a win. Wabash had won the previous two confrontations. The disappointing loss, in front of a packed Little Giant Stadium crowd, left the team searching for answers.
“I think everyone was anticipating the magnitude of the game,” CP Porter ‘12 said. “This was the game everyone was looking forward to. I think guys were prepared, I’m just not sure what happened.”
A poor start muffing the kickoff seemingly set the tone. Wittenberg forced a quick three-and-out, and started with the ball on the Wabash 34 after a penalty on the punt. On the second play from scrimmage, Tigers running back Sean Gary rushed for the 25-yard score.
“They had great field position,” Raeburn said. “They made plays on offense against our defense and built a nice lead, then we had to kind of abandon the run.”
Wabash entered the contest averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game. The Little Giants managed just 57 yards Saturday on 31 carries.
Witt’s Gary scored three times on 21 carries and gained 144 yards. The Little Giant defense struggled to corral the talented sophomore.
Wabash had problems moving the ball on its next two drives before Wittenberg quarterback Reed Florence fired a touchdown to Brendon Cunningham, 14-0. Cunningham caught 9 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ian MacDougall ‘14 put the Little Giants on the scoreboard with a 43-yard field goal, but Gary and Florence scored touchdowns to take the 28-3 halftime lead.
“It’s disappointing how we played,” Raeburn said. “I didn’t feel like it was our best effort by any stretch.”
Wabash’s defense blanked Wittenberg in the third quarter, and Grant Klembara scored on a 6-yard run, but the Little Giants would not get closer than 18 points.
Gary added his third touchdown in the fourth quarter before Drake Christen scored the first touchdown of his career with seconds remaining. He had 9 catches for 108 yards and the score.
Michael Putko completed 30-of-50 passes with a touchdown and a career-high 316 yards.
Cody Buresh and Nate Scola led Wabash in tackles with 9 each. Buresh also added a sack.
Wabash will travel to Greencastle, Ind. next Saturday to play DePauw in the Monon Bell Classic.