ADA – Despite forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions, the Wilmington College football team fell to Ohio Northern Saturday, 50-15, at Dial Roberson Stadium in Ohio Athletic Conference action.
The three interceptions double Wilmington season output and was one more than ONU quarterback Patrick Angle has thrown all season. Freshman Margust Charles (Lehigh Acres, FL/Lehigh) picked off his team-leading third pass in the first quarter, while senior Drew Dutoi (Bremen, IN/Bremen) tallied his first career pick at the end of the second quarter. Junior Amari Bryant (West Chester, OH/West Chester) recorded his pick on ONU's first drive of the third quarter.
Things started off badly for Wilmington as freshman Blake Valenzuela (Keystone Hts., FL/Keyston Hts.) was sacked and fumbled on WC's first play of the game. However, Wilmington kept the Polar Bears out of the end zone, forcing a field goal.
Wilmington embarked on a time consuming 15-play drive, converting on third down twice and a fourth down once. The Fightin' Quakers drove down to the two-yardline but the drive stalled, and sophomore Grant Brown (Stoutsville, OH/Stoutsville) booted home a 23-yard field goal.
The Polar Bears reclaimed the lead, driving 96 yards on nine plays, but the extra point was blocked by junior Linden Ayoki (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) and returned by junior Nick Williams (Cleveland, OH/Fairlawn) for two-points. Ohio Northern tacked on two more touchdowns in the second quarter to open up the 23-5 halftime lead.
Following Bryant's interception to start the second half, Wilmington drove to inside the ONU 15. However, they couldn't finish the drive and settled for a 37-yard field goal by Brown.
Ohio Northern scored on its next four drives to put the game away.
Freshman Daniel Crusan (Miami, FL/Palmetto) threw a career-long 49 yard touchdown pass to junior Justin Lee (Middletown, OH/Madison) on fourth & one to cap Wilmington's scoring. Crusan, who played the entire second half, finished the game 5-of-17 for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Valenzuela, the starter, completed was 5-of-7 for 29 yards. He added 15 yards rushing.
Sophomore Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County) finished one yard shy of 100, rushing 20 times for 99 yards. Lee finished with three catches for 81 yards and the aforementioned score, while junior Jeremy Duncan (Cincinnati, OH/Archbishop Moeller) finished with three catches for 23 yards.
Freshman David Branham, Jr. (Cable, OH/West Liberty-Salem) tied a career-high 10 tackles, while senior Cody Reigelsperger (Trenton, OH/Edgewood) added eight tackles. Williams and junior Tarrell Starckey (Richmond, VA/Highland Spring) each tallied seven tackles.
Sophomore Brent Rountree (Ocala, FL/Vanguard) had a forced fumble, and Ayoki added a fumble recovery to his blocked PAT.
Wilmington (0-9 overall, 0-8 OAC) hosts Muskingum Saturday in the season finale. It will be the final game for six seniors.