Box Score Mason Zurek rushed for 112 yards and Tyler Holmes added 104 yards on the ground, as No. 13 Wabash grinded out a 31-12 victory over the Denison Big Red from Piper Stadium in Granville, Ohio.
Denison would open the contest with a 14-play 50-yard drive that resulted in a 33-yard field goal by Matt Puracchio. Faced with a 4th and 1 from the Wabash 10-yard line, Denison lined up to go for it, but a substitution infraction on the Big Red would create a 4th and 6 situation, forcing Puracchio and the kicking unit on to the field.
Wabash would tie the game at 3-3 when Andrew Tutsie's 25-yard field goal split the uprights with three minutes left in the first quarter.
The Little Giants' first possession of the second quarter would end quickly when Michael Putko's pass was intercepted by Alex Willingham at the Big Red 17-yard line. Willingham would return the pick 36 yards to the Wabash 47-yard line.
After the interception, Brandon Sklenar and the DU offense went to work, driving to the Wabash 21-yard line. After two-straight incompletions brought up 4th and 5, Puracchio would take the field and connect on his second field goal, this time from 38-yards.
Denison's 6-3 lead would be short lived, as Putko's pass on the second play of the ensuing drive would be complete to Sammy Adams down the middle of the field for 45-yards. On the next play, Zurek would scamper 15-yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Just before halftime, Putko would connect with Drake Christen on a 15-yard scoring strike, giving Wabash a 17-6 lead at the intermission.
The Putko to Christen combo would strike again early in the third quarter on a 34-yard touchdown pass, lifting Wabash to a 24-6 lead. Nursing a three-possession lead, Wabash went to the ground, alternating between Zurek and Holmes while chewing up positive yardage and clock.
As the time expired in the third quarter, Zurek would score his second TD of the game, this time on a 26-yard run, making the score 31-6.
Denison would score its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter after four-straight completions by Sklenar of over 13-yards. With the ball on the Wabash 9-yard line, Sklenar would call his own number and reach the end zone. Denison would choose to go for two, but a 15-yard clipping penalty would push Denison back to the Wabash 18-yard line. The second PAT attempt would fail, setting the eventual final at 31-12.
Sklenar was 28-of-45 for 241 yards through the air. He also rushed for a net of 23 yards on 15 attempts. Jordan Patterson led DU on the ground with 49 yards on 13 carries and added five receptions for 51 yards. DuShawn Brown led the way with nine receptions for 62 yards and Hunter Winans chipped in six catches for a team-high 75 receiving yards.
Putko was 14-for-21 for 177 yards and two touchdown passes. He was sacked by the Denison defense five times. Zach Neufeld posted two sacks and two forced fumbles for DU. Houston Hodges led Wabash in receiving with six catches for 44 yards. Austin Brown led the team in tackles with 12.
For Denison, the defense was paced by safeties Andrew Baird and Zach Pewitt who each ended with 10 tackles apiece. Pewitt also added one sack and two tackles for a loss. Joe Weidenbach added eight stops.
Denison won time of possession, controlling the football for 33:40. The offense was 5-for-19 on third down while the Denison defense held Wabash to a 2-for-12 showing on third down.
The Big Red (1-2) will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 27) when they host Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. from Piper Stadium.
