Zack Jenkins passed for 205 yards and threw four touchdown passes as Wittenberg handed Denison its first defeat of the season, 45-14, from Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield, Ohio.

Denison entered the game with a 5-0 record and also boasted the third-longest active winning streak in Division III football (9 games). 

Trailing 3-0 late in the first quarter, field position flipped when Wittenberg's Will Gingery booted a 46-yard punt that was downed on the Denison 1-yard line.  After a quick three-and-out, DU's punt from their own 8-yard line went only 28 yards.  Wittenberg covered that distance in six plays as Jenkins scored 25 seconds into the second quarter on a 2-yard pass to Zach Culvahouse.

On the first play of Denison's ensuing drive, Wittenberg's Josh Bannick broke through the line and stole the exchange between Big Red quarterback Tommy Iammarino and tailback Cody Farley.  The turnover set the Tigers up with excellent field position once again at the Denison 28.

This time, it took only three plays for Wittenberg to reach pay dirt as Sean Gary scored from 14-yards out to put the Tigers on top 17-0 with 13:40 to play in the second quarter.

After recovering from the bad field position, the Denison defense began to settle in, forcing Wittenberg to punt on three straight drives.  An interception by DU's Canaan Gebele with 1:01 left in the quarter gave the ball back to the home team on their own 32-yard line.  On 2nd and 5, Jenkins went deep to Corey Stump for a 38-yard gain.  A pass interference call on the next play put the Tigers on the 10-yard line with 20 seconds to go.  On the next play, Jenkins hit Luke Landis in the corner of the end zone with the back-breaking TD, putting the Tigers on top 24-0 at the half.

In the third quarter, two more Tiger touchdowns put the game out of reach.  Denison did get a pair of touchdown passes from Gebele to Alex Mackin and Ryan Roberts in the fourth quarter, setting the final at 45-14.

Denison managed 227 yards of total offense compared to 384 for Wittenberg.  Gebele was 11-for-17 for 74 yards and two touchdowns.  He also led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 66 yards.  Jackson Young followed with nine rushes for 52 yards.  The leading receiver was Roberts who finished with one grab that went for a 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

For Wittenberg, Jenkins was 17-of-26 for 205 yards and four TDs.  Gary was the leading rusher with 30 carries for 113 yards.  Stump was Jenkins' favorite receiver as he caught five passes for 74 yards.

Zach Pewitt led Denison's defense with 14 tackles.  Anthony Sernus followed with 13 tackles and one sack.

Denison will look to get back into the win column next Saturday, Oct. 24, when they travel to Meadville, Pa. for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Allegheny College.