Box Score A botched point after attempt with 44 seconds remaining allowed Denison to hang on for a 10-9 win over Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon in Delaware, Ohio.
With the Big Red leading 10-3 with under one minute to play, Ohio Wesleyan's Dominick Orsini connected with Adrian Bishop on a 27-yard touchdown pass. On the extra point attempt, the snap sailed over the head of the holder. It was recovered by the placekicker who attempted a desperation throw toward the end zone. The pass was batted down and OWU's ensuing on-side kick was recovered by Denison's Ryan Roberts, securing the win.
With the win, Denison improves to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. It runs their winning streak to eight games and marks the first 4-0 start to a season since 1985.
With winds approaching 35 mph and the temperatures dipping into the mid-40s, the weather did not lend itself to prolific offensive numbers. Instead it was the defenses of both teams who set the tone.
Ohio Wesleyan scored first via a 31-yard field goal from Tim Shadoan three minutes into the contest. Denison would answer with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Iammarino to Cam Layer.
The score would remain 7-3, in favor of the Big Red until 5:18 remaining in the third when Denison's Conor Dunn booted a 22-yard field goal, putting DU on top, 10-3.
The fourth quarter saw a total of eight drives. Denison was sitting pretty after Shadoan fumbled a punt deep in their own territory. Denison's Zach Pewitt recovered and the Big Red had a 1st and 10 from the Battling Bishops 27-yard line.
On first down, a holding penalty pushed DU back 10 yards and a sack on second down had Denison faced with a 3rd and 29 from midfield, squashing any hopes of a scoring drive.
Ohio Wesleyan would start its final drive on their own 32-yard line with 1:28 remaining. An 11-yard pass from Orzini to Cheyne Lacanaria started off the series. A 16-yard pass to Eugene Coleman would get OWU down to the Denison 30-yard line. After a short 3-yard pass to Shadoan, Orsini would connect with Bishop on the 27-yard touchdown and things looked to be heading to overtime until the bad snap sealed Ohio Wesleyan's fate.
Denison finished with 282 yards of offense and Jordan Patterson paced the squad with 100 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Dushawn Brown's 100-yard receiving game streak came to an end but he still ended up with nine grabs for 91 yards. Fellow senior Hunter Winans posted five catches for 70 yards while Iammarino was 19-of-36 for 198 yards and a touchdown.
Pewitt led the defense with 14 tackles and one forced fumble and recovery. Anthony Senus followed with 13 tackles while Andrew Baird ended with 11 stops. Baird also recorded his 200th career tackle in the first half.
DU will return home to Granville, next Saturday, Oct. 10 when they host Hiram College at 7 p.m.
