The last time Wabash took the field, it trounced Allegheny 63-0. In order to replicate that performance against Wooster Saturday, Little Giant Coach Erik Raeburn said his team must possess that same level of focus.

"I thought we played with great intensity, but also I thought we were really focused," Raeburn said about the Allegheny win last Saturday. "In all three phases, we made fewer mental and technique mistakes than we had made in any other game. Now they know what it feels like and they have to make sure they're in that same mindset each and every week."

The Fighting Scots will provide a tougher challenge than the Gators. Wooster has ample amounts of talent and experience at the offensive skill positions. Four players earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors last season.

"Allegheny is a very young team — a lot of freshmen and sophomores starting for them," Raeburn said. "Wooster is a lot different. This will be its quarterback's fifth time playing against us. The older guys on the team are going to make fewer mistakes so we'll have to play fantastic on Saturday."

Scots quarterback Richard Barnes was named Second Team All-NCAC last year. He has thrown for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns to three interceptions. Barnes has also rushed for an additional 157 and a score. Sean Hackel earned First Team All-NCAC as Wooster's running back. He has rushed for 450 yards and three scores this season.

Barnes' favorite target, Darrian Owens, earned All-NCAC as a freshman. Owens leads the team with 13 catches for 194 yards and five touchdowns. Fellow All-Conference receiver Justin Rice and the diminutive Keir Pace round out the talented group.

Despite the impressive statistics and numerous accolades, the Scots have notsolved the Little Giant defense in the past. Wooster has scored 21 points total in its last three meetings against Wabash.

"In each of the last few years, Denzel Wilkins has played really well," Raeburn said. "They spread you out and get their talented receivers out in space. They're a matchup problem for a lot of teams, but Denzel has made a lot of good plays out in the open field."

Wilkins serves as Wabash's Swiss army knife. He has 16 tackles, including three-and-a-half for loss this year. The hybrid safety-linebacker effectively uses his versatility to counter spread-attack teams such as Wooster.

"My job is going to be to bust up the bubble screen play and get my hands on the inside receiver to disrupt their timing," Wilkins said. "I can go in the box if I need to with my strength, or go outside with my quickness."

The Scots can thrive even if their timing is disrupted. A mobile quarterback like Barnes will extend plays with his feet, which puts pressure on the defensive backs to stick to their receivers longer than normal.

"We let the quarterbacks scramble in practice this week," safety Eddie Cmehil said. "We have to lock on the receivers. We've seen when the quarterback starts running around, other defensive backs stop their feet — they kind of just sit there and watch him. We're really paying attention to getting on the closest receiver when the QB starts to scramble so he can't throw down the field."

Cmehil and Justin Woods, who is now a cornerback, swapped positions this year. The length of Woods' 6'1 frame will help against bigger receivers like Owens, who is also listed at 6'1.

"Woods is probably a better corner one-on-one against some of the bigger receivers we went against last year," Cmehil said. "I believe we're both great players, but coaches just wanted that matchup out at corner. I like safety right now so it wasn't a problem with either one of us."

Of course, the Wabash defense matches the Wooster offense in talent and depth -- Wilkins is one of four returning First Team All-Conference players.

Whichever team wins the strength-versus-strength battle will likely win the game Saturday and take the early lead in the conference standings. Wabash, Wooster, and Wittenberg are the only remaining unbeaten teams in league play this season.

Kickoff will take place at 1 p.m. in Hollett Little Giant Stadium. A live video feed of the game is available here. The game will also be broadcast on WNDY-FM (91.3). Live statistics are available during the game here.

Gamenotes previewing Saturday's game are available for download here.