Springfield, Ohio- Coming off a rivalry game win, the Big Red football team traveled to Wittenberg for their fifth away matchup of the year. Heading into Saturday, Denison won four of the last five matchups, losing only in an overtime duel in 2023. This matchup was one of the most entertaining of the season so far, as Denison rallied down 24 to come back and win 43-40 for their fourth win of the season. Denison moves to 4-2 and 3-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference play while Wittenberg falls to 2-5 and 1-4 in conference play.

Denison 43, Wittenberg 40

The game would start off far from ideal for the Big Red, as Wittenberg scored 24 straight, including a 62-yard interception to go up 24-0 with two minutes to go in the second quarter. Denison was able to stop the bleeding slightly, as running back Blayton Reid took it in from four yards out for his first score of the game to make it 24-7. The Tigers would get a field goal to end the half and lead 27-7.

The Big Red offense was stagnant in the first half, turning the ball over twice and having to punt twice. The defense, despite giving up 27 points, had some bright spots, as Thomas Hansen intercepted a pass to give the ball back to the Big Red.

The team needed a spark, and with receiving the kickoff to start the second half, they needed something big. That's when quarterback Tyler Green stepped up to the plate and delivered, as he found his favorite target in Grayson Kerscher for 40 yards to cut the lead by 13, 27-14. It was a nine-play, 75-yard drive to keep the Big Red in the game.

On the next drive, Hansen would come up big once again, recording his second pick of the day, giving Denison the ball at their own 47-yard line. The Big Red would be methodical in their drive after the turnover, as once again Green found multiple receivers across the length of the turf to march down the field for another score. This time, finding Rob Lucey from two yards out to make it a one-possession game, 27-21. Setting themselves up for a crucial fourth-quarter comeback, the Big Red defense finished the third quarter without giving up a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Wittenberg would answer with a drive of their own and put together a 10-play, 60-yard drive to go up 33-21. With the run game stalling, the ball would be placed in Green's hands once again, and he would not flinch, as he walked the Big Red down the field and set up Reid's second rushing touchdown of the game to bring it within six once again, 33-28.

The Tigers would punt on their next drive, giving the Big Red a chance to take the lead for the first time in the game, and in their third consecutive drive, they scored, as Green found his third touchdown catcher of the day in Jack Williams for 27 yards to give Denison a 36-33 lead with 4:23 left in the game.

After numerous empty possessions from the Tigers, they finally broke through in the final minutes with a four-play, 69-yard drive to go up 40-33 with 2:43 left in the game.

With Denison needing a touchdown, Green would be called on once again, and he did what he has done best all game, as he found Grayson Kerscher once again on third and 10 to take the lead with under a minute, 43-40. Kerscher finished his day with five catches for 89 yards and two scores, his first multi-score game of the season.

Wittenberg had 46 seconds to answer the Big Red touchdown, and they drove all the way down to the Denison 21-yard line to set themselves up for a game-tying field goal with three seconds left. As the ball left the foot of the Tiger kicker, the kick would miss, and Denison would hold on to win the game 43-40.

Offensive Leaders

• Green's 409 passing yards puts him fourth overall in the program for most passing yards in a game. It is also his most passing yards in a single game in his career.

• Rob Lucey led the Big Red in reception yardage, collecting 121 yards off of 11 receptions, and tallied one touchdown.

• Logan Yater was the other Big Red receiver who eclipsed over 100 yards receiving, as he had 12 catches for 105 yards.

• Blayton Reid had his first multi-score game of the season, notching two touchdowns on the day.

Defensive Leaders

• Rory Ralston had a breakout game against the Tigers, recording a career high 12 tackles, four solos, and assisting in eight others.

• Thomas Hansen was an impact player for the Big Red, grabbing both of Wittenberg's interceptions.

• Cole Davis recorded the only tackle for loss on the day and finished the game with a total of four tackles.

• Layton Reesor had a season-high nine tackles, as he recorded four solo and five assists.

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison returns to Granville, Ohio, to face the top-25 DePauw University Tigers on Saturday, October 25,  at 3 p.m. inside Deeds Field- Piper Stadium.