A third-down conversion proved to be a deciding factor when Wabash and Wittenberg met on the football field Saturday in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The 13th-ranked Tigers made the play when they need it in the closing minutes of the game to narrowly defeat Wabash 21-14 to remain undefeated and atop the North Coast Athletic conference standings.
 
The two teams showed why they are the top-two defenses in the conference. The Little Giants held Wittenberg (8-0, 7-0 NCAC) to its second-fewest points in a game this season. Wabash (6-2, 5-2 NCAC) allowed just 293 yards of total offense in the game and forced a pair of turnovers. Tigers quarterback Jake Kennedy came into the game have thrown only four interceptions through seven games, but was picked by Brock Heffron and Isaiah Campbell. Wittenberg recorded an interception and recovered a fumble to remain plus-12 in turnover margin.
 
The Little Giants struggled with third down conversions all game, turning only one of 14 attempts into a first down. Wittenberg converted six of its 14 tries into first downs, none bigger than on third-and-seven at the Wabash 38-yard line with just over seven minutes left in the game. Trailing 14-13, Kennedy connected with Jeff Tiffner on a 14-yard pass play to move the sticks. The Tigers scored the game-winning touchdown one play later on a 24-yard strike to Bryce Bailey in the left corner of the end zone.
 
Wittenberg took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard run by DeShawn Sarley. Wabash answered with a score in the second quarter --- an eight-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with a 19-yard pass from Weston Murphy to Ra'shawn Jones for the sophomore receiver's first career touchdown. Wittenberg scored with 5:20 remaining in the first half on Kennedy's 32-yard throw to Thaddeus Snodgrass. A missed extra point left the door open for the Little Giants.
 
Wabash took the lead in the third period when Ike James scored his conference-leading 13th rushing touchdown of the year on a three-yard run for 14-13 edge for the Little Giants. Wabash drove the ball into Witt territory late in the quarter, but were unable to convert a third-and six play from the Tigers' 41. The defense held on the ensuing Wittenberg drive, but once again the Little Giants came up short on third down and one from near midfield to end the drive with a punt. The Tigers took the ball and marched down the field before scoring on the pass from Kennedy to Bailey.
 
Murphy finished 15-of-30 for 156 yards passing. He shared quarterback duties with Isaac Avant, who stood behind center in the wildcat formation several times in the game. Kirby Cox caught a career-high six passes for 60 yards. James was held below 50 yards rushing for the first time this season, carrying the ball 21 times for 41 yards. Matt Penola led the Wabash rushing attack with a 48-yard run on a fake punt play that nearly broke free for a touchdown.
 
Evan Hansen led the defense for the third consecutive week in tackles with eight. Jeff Houston and Satchel Burton each finished with seven tackles. Artie Equihua and Byshup Rhodes both recorded sacks for Wabash.
 
Bailey caught six passes for 68 yards for Wittenberg Sarley managed just 68 yards on 20 attempts.
 
"I am completely and utterly proud of the effort our kids displayed the entire afternoon," Wabash head coach Don Morel said. "Our defensive coaches --- Jeff Ramsey, David Denham, Jeff Franklin, and all of the defensive staff --- did a tremendous job. They put us in some spots when we were up 14-13 where we could have gone ahead 21-13. That was the critical piece in the game. We missed Kirby Cox on a halfback pass. There was a real opportunity there to extend the lead. In the end I'm very proud of this football team in a very hard-fought game."
 
Wabash travels to Allegheny on Saturday, November 4 before closing out the season against DePauw in the 124th Monon Bell Classic and Greencastle.