Football team loses to Wittenberg, 48-6, in season-opener

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The Olivet College football team lost 48-6 to Wittenberg (Ohio) University tonight in its season-opener at Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield, Ohio. Wittenberg entered the game ranked No. 8 in the preseason D3football.com Top 25 poll.

The Tigers scored on all four of their possessions in the first quarter to take a commanding 28-0 lead. On the second play from scrimmage, Ben Zoeller completed a 57-yard touchdown pass to Josh McKee for a touchdown. Zoeller then threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Cooper, followed by a nine-yard touchdown scamper for Corey Weber. After stopping Olivet on fourth down, Cooper caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Zoeller on the Tigers' first play.

Weber added a one-yard touchdown run on Wittenberg's first series of the second quarter. The Comets put their first six points on the scoreboard when junior quarterback C.J. Gregory (Canton/Plymouth) capped a nine-play, 74-yard drive with a one-yard sneak up the middle and into the end zone. The PAT kick attempt was blocked. The Tigers took a 42-6 halftime lead with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Zoeller to Cooper. Wittenberg kicked a pair of field goals in the second half for their final margin of victory.

For the game, the Tigers piled up 388 yards of total offense, including 226 through the air, while their defense held Olivet to 124 yards. For the Comets, sophomore Josh Baggerly (Battle Creek/Pennfield) led the ground game with 12 carries for 46 yards. Gregory tossed for 44 yards. The leading receiver was junior James Williams (Battle Creek/Central) with two receptions for 27 yards. Defensively, senior Chris Behnke (Bellevue/Olivet) and junior Robby Jensen (Boyne City) each had nine total tackles.

Wittenberg was led by the arm of Zoeller, who completed 13-of-18 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns. McKee had four receptions for 96 yards and two scores, Cooper had four receptions for 52 yards and two scores, and Weber topped the ground attack with 15 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Brad McKinley's eight tackles were a team-high.

Olivet returns home for four straight home games, beginning next Saturday when Elmhurst (Ill.) College visits the Cutler Athletic Complex for a 1 p.m. game.