Wabash faced one of the top scoring defenses in Division III Saturday, but it was the Little Giants who put the clamps on visiting Ohio Wesleyan's scoring opportunities in a 31-13 victory at Hollett Little Giant Stadium.
 
Wabash (3-1, 3-0 NCAC) had managed to score one offensive touchdown in the past two meetings against Ohio Wesleyan (4-1, 3-1 NCAC). The Little Giants defeated OWU 7-0 last season after losing at home 16-13 in 2017 to the Battling Bishops. Ohio Wesleyan came into Saturday's game holding opposing teams to an average of five points a game in the first four wins of the season for the Battling Bishops.
 
Wabash (3-1, 3-0 NCAC) took advantage of a blocked punt by Nick Fox on the opening drive of the game. Artie Equihuea recovered the loose ball to setup the first score of the game three plays later on a two-yard Ike James touchdown. The Little Giants jumped in front 14-0 near the end of the first quarter when quarterback Liam Thompson found wide receiver Nick Hamman in the end zone for an eight-yard TD pass.
 
Ohio Wesleyan scored on an Anthony Sanfillipo 23-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the second period. Wabash scored the final 10 points of the half. Thompson connected with Ivan Martinez on a three-yard TD pass with 2:18 left in the period. Schuyler Nehrig tacked on a 33-yard field goal at the end of the half to put Wabash in front 24-3.
 
The Battling Bishops got a 55-yard run by Trey Dixon midway through the third quarter to set up their first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Zane Reis threw a 22-yard TD pass to Marty Sesma to trim the Wabash advantage to 24-10. Ohio Wesleyan gained 219 yards in the third period compared to 61 for the Little Giants.
 
OWU added a field goal to open the fourth period to cut the Wabash lead to 24-13. The Little Giants mounted an impressive 10-play drive that stalled at the OWU 28- yard line after a missed field goal attempt to give the ball back to the Bishops. The Battling Bishops moved the ball out to midfield but were turned away by the Wabash defense on fourth down.
 
The Little Giants pushed the ball into Ohio Wesleyan territory on a seven-play drive but gave the series away on a fumble. The defense rallied once again, forcing four consecutive incomplete passes by OWU. Isaac Avant sealed the victory on the very next series, racing into the end zone on a 21-yard run to push the lead to 31-13 with 2:21 left in the game.
 Once again the Wabash defense held its ground and forced OWU to turn the football over on downs to close out the contest with a victory for the Little Giants.
 
Ohio Wesleyan ended the game with an advantage in total yards, 365-358. The Bishops rushed for 148 yards and completed 20-of-40 passes for 217 yards. Wabash ran for 184 yards behind a 123-yard effort by James and 38 rushing yards from Avant, who also led Wabash in receptions with seven for 82 yards. Thompson completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 174 yards and two TDs.
 
Brock Heffron led the Wabash defense with seven tackles. Seth Buresh finished the game with 1-1/2 sacks totaling 14 yards. Brandon Yeagy and Artie Equihua each made six stops. Malcolm Lang forced a fumble that was recovered by Jose Franco that led to the Nehrig field goal.
 
Wabash travels to The College of Wooster on Saturday, October 12 for a 1 p.m. NCAC contest.