CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. — The Wabash College football team continued its unbeaten start to the 2025 season with a commanding 36-0 Homecoming victory over Denison on Saturday at Little Giant Stadium. The shutout was the Little Giants' first on Homecoming since a 51-0 win over Oberlin in 2016 and marked the team's first shutout overall since a 38-0 triumph against Kenyon in 2024.

The Little Giants' defense dominated from start to finish, limiting Denison (1-2, 0-1 NCAC) to just 25 rushing yards and 236 total yards while forcing an interception and recovering three fumbles. Sophomore Gage Gulley delivered the defensive highlight of the afternoon, intercepting a pass and returning it 52 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Quarterback Brand Campbell led the offense, completing 14 of 20 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a one-yard score. Kannon Chase caught both touchdown passes, from 17 and 31 yards, as Wabash (4-0, 2-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) rolled to 476 yards of total offense.

Special teams also played a starring role. Junior kicker Brody Rucker drilled a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter — tying the school record originally set by Joe Bevelhimer '86, who kicked a 50-yarder against DePauw in 1985. Rucker also connected from 40 yards in the second quarter and added three extra points.

Wabash built a 23-0 halftime lead with Campbell's early touchdown pass to Chase, Rucker's 40-yard field goal, Gulley's interception return, and Campbell's one-yard scoring run late in the half. Rucker's record-tying field goal and Chase's second touchdown stretched the advantage to 33-0 in the third quarter before Tyler Church capped the scoring with a 24-yard field goal in the fourth.

The Wabash defense recorded three sacks and held Denison to 3-of-14 on third downs. Linebacker Gavin Ruppert paced the Little Giants with seven tackles and a sack, while Samuel Poriah added 1.5 sacks as part of a relentless pass rush that kept the Big Red offense in check all afternoon.

The victory extended Wabash's Homecoming success — the Little Giants have now won 26 of their last 27 Homecoming games. Their only recent setback came in 2022, a 45-42 loss to Denison that ended a 25-game Homecoming winning streak.

Wabash continues North Coast Athletic Conference play next Saturday with a trip to John Carroll University. The two teams meet for the second time overall and the first time as conference opponents.
 

Wabash vs. Denison — Game Highlights

September 27, 2025 • Little Giant Stadium • Crawfordsville, Indiana

• Final Score: Wabash 36, Denison 0

• Wabash Record: 4-0 overall, 2-0 NCAC

• Denison Record: 1-2 overall, 0-1 NCAC

Team Highlights

• Wabash recorded its first shutout of the season, and first since a 38-0 win over Kenyon in 2024.

• The shutout was Wabash's first Homecoming shutout since 2016 (51-0 vs. Oberlin).

• The Little Giants' 26th Homecoming win in 27 years; the only recent loss came in 2022 (45-42 vs. Denison).

• Wabash outgained Denison 476–236 in total yards and 182–25 in rushing yards.

• The defense limited Denison to 1.0 yard per carry and just 3-of-14 on third downs.

• Wabash controlled possession for 31:36 to Denison's 28:24.

Offensive Highlights

• QB Brand Campbell: 14-of-20 passing for 207 yards and two touchdowns; added 55 rushing yards and a 1-yard TD.

• WR Kannon Chase: 3 receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns (17 and 31 yards).

• RB Xavier Tyler: 9 carries for 48 yards; added 3 receptions for 28 yards.

• Balanced Attack: 476 total yards — 294 passing and 182 rushing.

• Wabash averaged 6.9 yards per play and scored on six of 11 drives.

Defensive Highlights

• LB Gavin Ruppert: Team-high 7 tackles, 1 sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss.

• DL Samuel Poriah: 1.5 sacks, 2 total tackles.

• DB Gage Gulley: 4 tackles, 0.5 TFL, and a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown.

• Wabash defense: 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 3 fumble recoveries.

• Denison was held scoreless in the red zone (0-for-1).

Special Teams Highlights

• K Brody Rucker:

  • Connected on field goals of 40 and 50 yards, the latter tying the school record first set by Joe Bevelhimer '86 against DePauw in 1985.

  • Also made three extra points and averaged 64.3 yards per kickoff with six touchbacks.

• K Tyler Church: Added a 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and averaged 37 yards on two punts.

Scoring Summary

• 1Q — Kannon Chase 17-yard TD catch from Campbell (kick blocked)

• 2Q — Rucker 40-yard FG

• 2Q — Gulley 52-yard interception return TD (Rucker kick)

• 2Q — Campbell 1-yard TD run (Rucker kick)

• 3Q — Rucker 50-yard FG (ties school record)

• 3Q — Chase 31-yard TD catch from Campbell (Rucker kick)

• 4Q — Church 24-yard FG