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Will Gingery was the big hero for Wittenberg, with a fourth-overtime field goal to win it. |
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| Marcus Hudson dives for the pylon in UW-Whitewater's win vs. Lakeland. Photo by Steve Frommell, d3photography.com |
Wittenberg and Thomas More went to four overtimes, while UWW had a relatively easy time with Lakeland and John Carroll and Wesley advanced in the UW-Whitewater bracket.
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Thomas More rallied from a 17-0 deficit to take a 24-17 lead with 6:30 to play in the game. That’s when the real fun began. Four overtimes later, Wittenberg advanced with a 33-30 victory.
There were no touchdowns scored in the extra frames and the teams exchanged blocked field goal attempts in the second overtime.
Sophomore quarterback Jake Kennedy passed for 237 yards and a game-tying touchdown to Luke Landis with 1:39 to play. Kennedy was also the Tigers’ leading rusher, carrying 18 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Will Gingery made four field goals, including the game-winner from 37 yards out.
C.T. Tarrant carried 34 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns in his final game for the Saints. This was the second straight year that Thomas More’s season ended in an overtime thriller at the hands of the NCAC champion. Wittenberg advances to play UW-Whitewater in the second round and improves the program’s record to 14-4 in playoff openers.
Michael Whitley threw for 339 yards and three touchdowns to make Lakeland competitive, but it wasn't enough as UW-Whitewater defeated Lakeland 45-27.
The Warhawks returned to Chris Nelson, who was the No. 1 quarterback at the start of the season, and he threw for 214 yards and three scores, while it was Josh Ringelberg getting the call at running back. Ringelberg ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
John Carroll held Olivet to 188 total yards in a 37-12 first round win at Don Shula Stadium. Marshall Howell caught nine passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, while Anthony Moeglin completed 21-of-34 passes for 262 yards and four scores. Braden Black, the Comets starting quarterback, played on just the first drive before coming out with an ankle injury and Lane Porter, a sophomore, was 15-for-23 for 140 yards in relief.
Jamar Baynard scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, part of a 265-yard, three-touchdown day, as Wesley pulled away to defeat Stevenson 38-17. Dan Williams threw for 323 yards and two scores for the Mustangs, but was intercepted twice, once with 3:29 left to allow Wesley to run out the clock. The Wolverines will play at John Carroll next Saturday.