WOOSTER, Ohio – Tate Journell – The College of Wooster football team's two-way sensation – broke up a game-tying two-point conversion try inside the final minute, then sophomore Brock Sivon covered up an onside kick attempt to clinch the Fighting Scots' 24-22 victory over The University of Olivet on Saturday afternoon at John P. Papp Stadium.
Olivet (1-1) rallied back to make it game, outscoring Wooster (1-1) 22-3 in the second half. The Comets took over on their 40-yard line with 3:29 remaining down eight and were in the end zone seven plays later when Dontal Wright cut in from a yard out. On the two-point try, Evan Ormsby took to the air, looking for go-to target SirQuarius Ball, only to see Journell knock the ball safely to the ground. The breakup was the second magnificent defensive play by the two-way star in the fourth quarter. Earlier, he leaped in front of Dawson John for an interception just outside the red zone.
After the breakup, the Comets had no choice but to go for the onside kick. Wooster already had possession in hand, thanks to an illegal touching three yards shy of the 10-yard onside kick requirement. Nonetheless, Sivon took matters into his own hands, covering up the kick. After the penalty was enforced, two sophomore Chanden Lee kneel downs officially ran the clock out.
It was all Wooster early, and the Scots' traditional quick-strike offense, worked through a methodical 13-play, 80-yard drive that used 5:08 of game time in the first. Sophomore Jarvis Mims Jr. carried the ball eight times on the drive, with the final tote going in the books as a 2-yard touchdown at the 6:20 mark. Junior Andrew Hammer supplemented Mims Jr.'s steady ground presence with a pair of mid-yardage catches on the drive.
Olivet's inconsistency on deep shots proved costly late in the first quarter. Sivon closed on a longball for an interception in the end zone. However, it took until the following drive for Wooster's offense to get in sync again. That drive saw Wooster cover 63 yards in nine plays, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lee to sophomore Jordan Lewis. Hammer, who has a career day with nine receptions and 101 yards, was heavily involved in the scoring stretch, going for 37 yards on two catches. It was 21-0 Wooster at the 1:45 mark of the second quarter after Hammer caught an 8-yard Lee touchdown pass and senior Lake Barrett knocked home the extra point. A go-get-it 25-yard pass down the sideline to junior Brazos Gadler set Wooster up on Olivet's 10-yard line. Wooster actually took over just 35 yards from the end zone after Olivet quarterback Thomas Foust lost the handle on the ball on a scramble attempt. Senior Domenic DeMuth scooped up the pigskin and ran it back 14 yards.
A 33-yard Barrett field goal upped Wooster's lead to 24-16 with 3:30 remaining in the first game on the newly-renovated Andrew Turf Field. The successful try marked the senior's 22nd collegiate make, moving him within five of tying the program's all-time record.
Lee completed 24-of-36 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate win. Gadler supported Hammer's career day with six catches for 84 yards, which included 30 stripes after the catch. Mims Jr. carried the ball 25 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.
DeMuth powered the defense with a co-game-high nine tackles. He had a third-quarter sack and was credited with two quarterback hurries. Sophomore Louie Lindsay followed with six tackles, while junior Jon Banal had five stops and a forced fumble.
Olivet's strong, shifty, and explosive running game resulted in 237 rushing yards on 39 carries. Samuel Kunnuji led the way with 136 yards on 17 carries for an 8.0 average. Ormsby completed 15-of-30 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Olivet's defense saw Ricky Williamson record nine tackles, Dennis Simmons log eight, and Landen Ackley and Ronnie Pompey Jr. finish with six apiece.
Olivet outgained Wooster 446-360. Turnovers were a big factor in the win, and that is an area Wooster stayed mistake free. Olivet had four for the game.
Next, Wooster opens North Coast Athletic Conference play at Ohio Wesleyan University (1-1) on Saturday, September 16. Kickoff at historic Selby Stadium is set for 7 p.m.