Wittenberg 48, Olivet 6
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers scored four
touchdowns in the first 13 minutes of the game en route to a
decisive 48-6 victory over visiting Olivet in the 2010 season
opener for both teams.
It was the seventh time in as many meetings that Wittenberg had
defeated Olivet and the fourth straight year that the Tigers have
opened a season with a win over the Comets. It was the first of
three straight home games to open the 2010 season for the
eighth-ranked Tigers.
The fast start was sparked by junior quarterback Ben Zoeller, who
was sharp in his first collegiate starting assignment. He hooked up
with junior wide receiver Josh McKee for a 57-yard touchdown strike
just 1:36 into the game, and he went on to add a pair of first
quarter TD passes to junior wide receiver Michael Cooper.
Sandwiched in between was a nifty nine-yard scoring run by senior
tailback Corey Weber.
The onslaught continued in the second quarter as Weber added a
one-yard touchdown run and McKee caught a 22-yard touchdown pass
from Zoeller. Olivet got on the board with 4:12 left in the first
half, but the Comets' extra point was blocked.
The second half offered little action as the Tigers tacked on one
field goal in each quarter. The Comets managed a meager 33 yards
after the intermission, even as the Tigers emptied the bench, with
more than 70 players receiving playing time by the final horn.
For the game, Wittenberg outgained Olivet 388-124, with the Comets
picking up 74 of their yards on their scoring drive. Zoeller was
stellar with 13 completions in 18 attempts for 206 yards and four
touchdowns. He was not intercepted or sacked in the game. Weber led
a balanced rushing attack with 74 yards on 15 carries, while junior
tailback Conner Warye added 54 yards on 10 carries. Through the
air, McKee led with 96 yards on four receptions, while Cooper
contributed 52 yards on four receptions.
Defensively, senior linebacker Brad McKinley led with eight
tackles, including two for loss. Four other players finished with
four tackles each, including senior defensive tackle Adam Kattoua,
who added 1.5 sacks for a loss of 10 combined yards.
