Crawfordsville, Ind. – Wabash College continues North Coast Athletic Conference play Saturday with a Homecoming matchup against Denison University. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Eastern at Frank Navarro Field at Little Giant Stadium in Crawfordsville.
Game Information
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 27 – 2 p.m. ET
Location: Frank Navarro Field at Little Giant Stadium – Crawfordsville, Ind.
Capacity: 3,300
Live Video: Wabash College Video Network
Live Stats: wabashstats.statbroadcast.com
Opening Notes
Wabash enters the game with a 3-0 record after a 34-7 win at Wooster in its NCAC opener last weekend. The Little Giants improved their all-time record to 727-404-59, ranking fifth in NCAA Division III history in victories and 15th in winning percentage at .636. Wabash and Notre Dame remain the only college football programs in Indiana with more than 700 all-time wins.
The Little Giants are playing their 25th season in the NCAC, where they have won or shared nine championships in the past 17 years. Wabash is 153-30 all-time in league play. Saturday's contest is part of Wabash's Homecoming celebration.
The Little Giants are 68-27-8 all-time in Homecoming games, including a 2-1-1 mark against Denison. The Big Red defeated Wabash 45-42 in 2022, ending the Little Giants' 25-game Homecoming winning streak.
Series History
Wabash and Denison will meet for the 31st time overall. The Little Giants lead the series 22-7-1, including a 12-2-1 record at home and a 19-3 mark in NCAC play. Wabash snapped a two-game losing streak to the Big Red with a 24-23 win last season, highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown pass from Brand Campbell to Tim Miller and a game-clinching interception by Mike Holsclaw in the final minute.
Last Week's Win
Wabash used a balanced attack to defeat Wooster 34-7. Campbell completed 11 of 17 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yard strike to Luke Adams. Cole Dickerson added a rushing touchdown and a 17-yard scoring catch, while Xavier Tyler broke free for a 70-yard TD run as part of a 127-yard rushing effort.
The defense limited Wooster to 202 total yards, including just 10 on the ground. The Little Giants forced two turnovers and recorded three sacks. Brock Robertson intercepted a pass in the first quarter, and Samuel Ringer forced a fumble that set up a Wabash touchdown.
Key Players
Campbell has thrown for 757 yards and 10 total touchdowns through three games while ranking second in the NCAC in passing efficiency (196.0). He is averaging 16.38 yards per completion, 11th-best nationally.
Tyler, the reigning NCAC Offensive Athlete of the Week, averages 77.7 rushing yards per game. His 70-yard score at Wooster is the Little Giants' longest play from scrimmage this season.
Linebacker Gavin Ruppert continues to climb the Wabash career tackles list. He enters Saturday with 278 stops, sixth all-time, and needs 20 to tie for fifth.
Senior kicker Brody Rucker has converted four of his five field-goal attempts, leading the NCAC with 1.33 made per game.
Scouting Denison
Denison is 1-1 after a 53-27 loss at Alma. The Big Red opened the year with a 35-24 win at Allegheny and were picked fourth in the NCAC preseason coaches poll after finishing 6-4 last season.
The Big Red lead the NCAC in time of possession, averaging more than 37 minutes per game. Running back Blayton Reid tops the conference in rushing at 116.5 yards per game, highlighted by a 187-yard effort in the opener. Quarterback Tyler Green averages 288.5 passing yards with six touchdowns this season. He threw for 364 yards against Wabash last season.
Receiver Grayson Kerscher leads Denison with 18 catches for 174 yards, while tight end Alex Stackhouse has added two touchdown receptions. Defensively, safety Nick Pellicciotta leads the team with 12 tackles, and linebacker Chase Daniel has recorded the Big Red's lone sack.
