The game played out like a boxing title fight as both teams battled back forth before the knockout punch was provided by juniors Johnson and Chris Morris (Zionsville, IN/Zionsville).
The Little Giants put the first points on the scoreboard, capping a 14-play, 93-yard drive with a three-yard TD toss to senior tight end Ryan Short (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian). Allegheny tied the game on the final play of the first half as junior QB Bubba Smith found Jon Turner in the end zone with a nine-yard pass to end a 17-play, 95-yard drive.
After another TD pass from Knott to Short , Allegheny went to the trick plays to even the score again. The Gators lined up for a 31-yard field goal attempt, only to fake the kick. Backup quarterback Marty Spieler hit Tim Carl for a 14-yard TD to tie the game at 14-14.
Wabash led 17-14 in the fourth quarter after a 26-yard field goal by Mark Server (Plainfield, IN/Plainfield) when Allegheny mounted a drive that put the Gators at their own 37 yard line. Smith fired a pass across the middle to Luke Pelger, who was unable to make the catch when he was drilled by Johnson. The incompletion forced the Gators to punt, giving the ball to the Little Giants with 9:36 left in the game.
The offense, led by a 48-yard scamper Morris, marched for a five-play, 80-yard drive that proved to be the game-winner. Morris touched the ball on the final four plays of the drive, carrying three times for 60 yards before scoring on a 10-yard reception.
Knott finished the game with 303 yards of total offense (288 passing, 35 rushing), giving him 9, 847 yards for his career and giving him the Wabash career total offense record. He broke the mark set by former Little Giant QB Chris Ings '96 of 9, 608.
Short caught nine passes for 81 yards and two TDs, giving him the Wabash career TD reception record with his 34th scoring catch. He broke the previous record of 34 set by Mike Funk '89.
Morris finished with 131 yards, his fourth consecutive game over the 100-yard mark. He also added three receptions for 28 yards, including the final TD of the game.
Senior linebacker Nate Boulais (Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis) led the Little Giants defense with 12 tackles. The Little Giant defense kept Allegheny to 263 yards of total offense. Wabash, the second-ranked rushing defense in the nation, held the Gators to 97 rushing yards in the game.
Wabash will meet fourth-ranked Wittenberg next Saturday at Springfield, Ohio. Kickoff is set for noon (EST)