OBERLIN, Ohio — Wabash scored 27 unanswered points in the first half and limited Oberlin to 101 yards of total offense Saturday as the Little Giants remained unbeaten with a 34-7 North Coast Athletic Conference victory at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
Wabash improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Oberlin fell to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the NCAC.
The Little Giants scored touchdowns on two first-quarter red-zone possessions to take a 14-0 lead. Brand Campbell directed a 73-yard opening drive, completing passes to Nick Witte, Luke Adams, Keith Jackson and Cole Dickerson before Dickerson scored on a 5-yard run with 10:50 remaining in the period. Tyler Church added the extra point.
The Wabash defense forced punts on Oberlin's first two possessions, with Carson Foxen, William Harris and Logan Mishler producing tackles for loss and Harris adding a sack.
Wabash drove 85 yards on its final possession of the first quarter, with Javon Garry providing several key runs before scoring on a 2-yard carry as time expired. Church's extra point gave the Little Giants a 14-0 advantage.
Jackson Gilbert took over at quarterback in the second quarter and completed all seven of his passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Gilbert connected with Domanic Barnett for gains of 18 and 39 yards on a 92-yard scoring drive before finding Barnett for a 9-yard touchdown and a 21-0 Wabash lead.
Camden Singer continued the defensive pressure with two sacks and a tackle for loss during Oberlin's next two possessions. Samuel Poriah also recovered his first fumble of the season at the Oberlin 20-yard line.
The Wabash defense stopped Oberlin on fourth-and-14 at the Little Giants' 26-yard line with 1:56 remaining in the half. Gilbert responded by completing passes of 7 and 34 yards to Konner Chase before connecting with Barnett on a 31-yard touchdown with six seconds remaining to send Wabash into halftime with a 27-0 lead.
Barnett finished with four receptions for 97 yards and a career-high two touchdown catches. Gilbert's 151 passing yards pushed his career total to 1,033 yards, while his two touchdown passes increased his career total to 11.
Oberlin scored its only touchdown in the third quarter after recovering a Wabash fumble at the Yeomen 46-yard line, cutting the Little Giants' advantage to 27-7.
Wabash answered with a run-heavy drive late in the third quarter. Tanner Brooks carried the Little Giants into scoring position with runs of 20 and 13 yards as Wabash reached the Oberlin 6-yard line before the end of the period.
Allen Zupan II completed the drive on the first play of the fourth quarter, connecting with Derek Gomez for a 6-yard touchdown. The scoring pass was Zupan's first of his career, while Gomez recorded his first reception and receiving touchdown of his collegiate career. Trevor Faughdner's extra point gave Wabash a 34-7 lead.
The Little Giants' defense kept Oberlin off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Wabash stopped the Yeomen on fourth down midway through the fourth quarter before Owen Dorrel intercepted a pass at the Oberlin 35.
Wabash held Oberlin to 101 total yards, including 12 rushing yards, and recorded four sacks. The Little Giants have produced at least four sacks in each of their past two games. Singer finished with four tackles and two sacks, marking his second consecutive game with at least two sacks.
Brooks led the Wabash rushing attack with 52 yards on nine carries. Dickerson's first-quarter touchdown gave him a rushing score in each of the Little Giants' first three games.
Adams finished with 36 receiving yards to move past 1,000 for his career with 1,028 yards.
Wabash returns home Saturday, Sept. 26, to face The College of Wooster in an NCAC contest. Kickoff for the College's annual Homecoming contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Little Giant Stadium.
