One stat told from Ohio Wesleyan's 34-28 loss to Bethany Saturday told the early-season story for the Battling Bishops.
Ohio Wesleyan converted on only one of 10 third-down plays in its third loss of the season. Bethany, on the other hand, went 5-for-13 in third-down conversions.
In their first three games, the Battling Bishops have combined to go 4-for-29 on third downs. Opponents have converted on 17-of-39 third downs. After going 0-for-8 against Catholic, Ohio Wesleyan has combined to convert on just one third down in its last two games.
"We need to develop some consistency," said Ohio Wesleyan coach Mike Hollway, whose Battling Bishops open North Coast Athletic Conference play 1 p.m. Saturday at Wabash College's Byron P. Hollett Little Giant Stadium. "We have not been good on offense or defense on third downs, and for us to be successful we need to make plays on third down. Third downs have been our Achilles heel. If we play third down like we play first or second down, then we'll be fine."
It has been a frustrating start to the season for the Battling Bishops. Ohio Wesleyan has lost its last two games in the final minute. Last week, Bethany scored twice in the final minute, including a 9-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining. One week before, Catholic scored a touchdown with one second remaining to send Ohio Wesleyan into its first overtime game in the program's history. Catholic scored on its first overtime possession to take a 34-27 lead. The Bishops came right back and scored, but were unable to convert on the two-point conversion, giving Catholic a 34-33 victory.
"We are frustrated after having two last-second losses," Hollway said. "But we have had really good spirit on the practice field this week and hopefully that carries on to the game field."
The Battling Bishops have the experience to turn around their 0-3 start. Halfback Nick Rice, a two-time all-NCAC honorable mention selection, returns for his senior season. Rice has picked up where he left off last season, leading the Battling Bishops' rushing and receiving attack. Rice has averaged 75.3 rushing yards, carrying the pigskin 36 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns. He also has caught 13 passes for 213 yards, an average of 71 yards per game.
"Nick is a very versatile player and he's having the type of year you hope seniors will have," Hollway said. "This is his last chance to play college football and he's making the most of his opportunity."
The Battling Bishops also have experience at the quarterback position. After senior Ryan Sir Louis went down with an injury last season, Steve Hymes came in to quarterback Ohio Wesleyan's final four games. Hymes returns for his junior season and has started all three games for Ohio Wesleyan this season. Hymes has shown accuracy, completing 59 percent of his passes. He has gone 24-for-41 for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Andy Boff has also seen time under center for Ohio Wesleyan, completing 6-of-12 passes for 129 yards.
"Steve is fast and has shown good accuracy," Hollway said. "We have been pleased with his progress so far and we think he will develop into a terrific quarterback."
Wabash comes into the contest 1-1 and is coming off a 38-31 victory over Millikin. The Little Giants have won the last four meetings and seven of the last games against the Battling Bishops, including last year's 29-7 victory at Delaware.
"Wabash this year is a typical Chris Creighton coached team," Hollway said. "They are very disciplined and play hard. They are a very good football team and are warranted with the preseason No. 1 pick in the conference pick they got."
Wilson is the sports editor of the Crawfordsville Journal Review.