WILMINGTON, Ohio – After an unexpected week off, the Wilmington College football team is anxious to return to the field on Saturday when Ohio Northern University comes to Williams Stadium on Saturday as part of Homecoming Weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Teams: Wilmington and Ohio Northern (ONU). The Fightin' Quakers are 0-1 on the year after falling in the season-opener to Southern Virginia 41-34 in overtime in a game they never trailed in regulation. The Polar Bears are an even 1-1 and also coming off a disappointing loss having fallen to Muskingum University 33-31 on a last-second field goal.
The Coaches: Bryan Moore, a 1999 graduate of Hiram College, begins his fifth season leading Wilmington's football program. Moore began instilling his vision on the program having brought in three large freshman classes, and that has paid off on the field with multiple victories each of the last two seasons. Previously, Moore spent time at both Bluffton University and Heidelberg. Dean Paul is in his 18th season at the helm of the ONU football program.
The Offenses: In his first collegiate start, Derek Larimer completed 36-of-58 passes for 366 yards and two scores without an interception last weekend. Itika Wynn Jr. and Dallas Rawlings both caught six passes with Rawlings, also the leading rusher in week one, hauled in two touchdowns. Brody Hahn has thrown for 470 yards and three touchdowns as well as being 1-of-2 Polar Bears to rush for over 100 yards through two games. Chase Rose has caught all three touchdown passes while Brock Martin is the squad's leading rusher with nearly 200 yards.
The Defenses: Xzerious Stinnett led Wilmington in week one with seven tackles while three Quakers – Jarod Lee, Tre'Quez Parks and Deven Speck – all had one sack. Quentin Davis intercepted a pass late in the first half while Jalaun Covington broke up two passes. For ONU, a quartet of Polar Bears - Trevon Salter, Jevon Taylor, Johnny Rupp and Peyton Wilson - have all record double digits in tackles. Josh Bever has the team's lone sack.
Tale of the Tape: Points per game – Wilmington 34.0, ONU 32.5, points per game allowed – Wilmington 41.0, ONU 21.5, yards per game – Wilmington 472.0, ONU 411.0, yards per game allowed – Wilmington 424.0, ONU 344.0, passing yards per game – Wilmington 366.0, ONU 235.0, passing yards per game allowed – Wilmington 355.0, ONU 243.0, rushing yards per game – Wilmington 106.0, ONU 101.0, rushing yards per game allowed – Wilmington 69.0, ONU 101.0.
Coaching Connection: Dean Paul, while the head coach at then Thomas More College, hired Bryan Moore as an assistant coach.
Series History: Wilmington is 1-20 against ONU since joining the OAC prior to the 2000 football season. That one win, however, came on Homecoming Weekend in 2019 as the Quakers defeated the Polar Bears 42-37 at Williams Stadium. More information on the series history can be viewed by visiting the link above
Coverage: Live statistics and live video of the game will be available – visit the links above.
Social Media: Follow Wilmington athletics on social media! The Fightin' Quakers have a presence on Facebook (Wilmington College Athletics) as well as Twitter and Instagram (@DubCQuakers).
Up Next: The Quakers head to Muskingum University (game played at Zanseville High School) next Saturday.
