It was a tough, gritty, ugly game for the Wabash football team at Wooster on Saturday, but, as they have all year, found a way to win.
The 21-10 victory gives the Little Giants at least a share of the NCAC championship, the third straight year Wabash has accomplished this.
The “bend but don’t break” Wabash defense was the story once again. The Scots gouged Wabash for 236 rushing yards, 128 of which came from quarterback Austin Holter. But the opportunistic defense forced three crucial turnovers that held Wooster to just one touchdown and sealed the victory for the Little Giants.
The first turnover was an interception made on Wooster’s first possesion by junior safety Chad Peterman, who returned it 20 yards to the Wabash 19. From there, Wabash jumped ahead with a two yard touchdown run from sophomore J-Back Brock Graham.
Wabash would extend its lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a 14 play, 92 yard drive that led to a leaping touchdown catch from senior receiver Mike Russell.
Wooster answered right back with a 13 play drive that ended with a field goal, their only points in the first half.
The Scots made it apparent they weren’t going anywhere in the beginning of the second half, however, forcing Wabash to punt after four plays and immediately capitalizing with a Holton score to make it 14-10.
Things started looking even worse for Wabash as Hudson was picked off by Steve Custenborder on the first play of the following possession, setting the Scots up with a great opportunity to take the lead.
But the Little Giant defense again rose to the occasion, this time by way of senior defensive lineman Jared Lange. Lange broke through the line untouched, sacking Holter and forcing a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive lineman Wes Anderson.
The turnover set up a 3:25 Wabash drive that ended with a touchdown pass to senior receiver Gabe Guerrero.
Wooster refused to go quietly, and after a blocked punt and a 10 play drive, found themselves on the Wabash six yard line. This time it was senior linebacker Adi Pynenberg’s turn for a big play in the red zone. Pynenberg intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone, putting Wooster’s hopes of an upset to rest for good.
Pynenberg was named NCAC defensive player of the week with another stellar performance Saturday, Pynenberg had 13 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
“(Pynenberg) means more to this program than most people will ever know,” said Creighton. “When you watch the Wabash defense, you watch number 40. He’s just dominant.”
The All-American linebacker finds himself on the brink of the Wabash record books, as he sits just six tackles shy of Wabash’s all-time record of 400.
“If you would have told us a few years back, with 400-something tackles to get, we would’ve told you it was impossible,” Creighton said. “But here he is.” Even with the important win, Creighton said the team was not happy with the way they played Saturday.
“If we don’t play well and still win, we’re not all excited about getting the win,” Creighton said. “We’re at a point where we need to get ourselves better.”
The Little Giants have an opportunity to win the conference outright this Saturday, with their final conference game against Denison (3-5). Creighton said that winning a share of the conference isn’t enough. They want to earn the outright title this Saturday. “If we were in the Big 10 and we earned a share of the conference, then yeah, we’d be excited about it,” Creighton said. “Call us greedy, but we want to win it outright.”
The game against Denison also marks Senior Day for the football program, where Wabash will honor a senior class that has led the Little Giants to an amazing season so far.
“The way they took over the team at the end of last season was nothing short of awesome,” Creighton said. “These guys have completely sold out to the program and the college. And they’re talented.”
It hasn’t been an easy senior campaign, with multiple key injuries plaguing them throughout the year. But they’ve led the team to an undefeated record despite it, which Creighton believes to be quite fitting.
“With no adversity, we might have cruised through the season and had a real impressive record,” Creighton said. “But these guys have such character, it’s almost like they needed a challenge on top of everything. And they’ve fought. They’ve taken it on well.”