GAMBIER, Ohio — A powerful start and balanced effort in all three phases carried the Wabash College football team to a 46–12 North Coast Athletic Conference victory over Kenyon College on Saturday afternoon at McBride Field. The Little Giants remained unbeaten against the Owls in NCAC play, extending their streak to 15 consecutive conference wins and improving to 20–1 all-time in the series.

Quarterback Brand Campbell led the way for Wabash (6–1, 4–1 NCAC), accounting for three first-quarter touchdowns as the Little Giants raced to a 23–6 lead after just 15 minutes. Following a 56-yard kickoff return by Samuel Ringer to start the game, Campbell found Luke Adams for a 34-yard touchdown on Wabash's first offensive play. He later added rushing touchdowns of five and 21 yards on consecutive drives, and defensive end Jerry McBee capped the opening quarter with a sack in the end zone for a safety.

The Wabash defense continued to dominate the second quarter, forcing repeated three-and-outs and adding another safety when a Kenyon punt sailed through the back of the end zone to make it 25–6 at halftime.

Wabash's special teams extended the lead early in the third quarter when Samuel Poriah blocked a punt and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. After Kenyon (1–5, 1–3 NCAC) briefly closed the gap to 32–12, sophomore quarterback Jackson Gilbert threw his first career touchdown pass, a 32-yard strike to Konner Chase late in the third period. Gilbert added a second scoring toss early in the fourth quarter, connecting with Nick Witte from 26 yards out to close the scoring.

The Little Giants finished with 335 total yards of offense, including 259 through the air. Campbell completed 7 of 17 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 31 yards and two scores. Gilbert added 101 passing yards and two touchdowns on 6 of 10 passing. Luke Adams led the receivers with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, followed by Witte with four receptions for 59 yards and Chase with three grabs for 57 yards and a score. Chase Shurm added a 26-yard reception, while Cole Dickerson and Conner Grimes each contributed short gains.

On the ground, Xavier Tyler paced the Wabash rushing attack with 44 yards on 11 carries. Cole Dickerson added 9 yards on two carries, DJ Mendez picked up 4 yards on his lone attempt, and Javon Garry gained 4 yards on three carries as the Little Giants used a deep rotation to control the clock.

The Wabash defense was once again dominant, holding Kenyon to just 183 total yards and only 3-of-16 on third-down conversions. Linebacker Gavin Ruppert led the team with seven tackles, while William Harris added six stops, an interception, and a pass breakup. Ringer and Brody Frey each recorded two sacks, and McBee contributed three tackles, a sack, and a safety. Gage Gulley and Carac Johnson each notched tackles for loss as part of a ten-TFL day for the defense.

Special teams once again proved to be a Wabash strength. Brody Rucker was perfect on all six extra-point attempts and averaged 65 yards per punt. His six PATs moved him past Ian MacDougall '14 into second place on the Wabash career extra-points made list with 129 career conversions. Ringer added 66 yards on kickoff returns, while Carson Cole and Luke Adams combined for 27 yards on punt returns.

Wabash plays Wittenberg University in an NCAC game on Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m. at Little Giant Stadium.