Down a number of starters and outmanned by nearly 40 players, Ohio State Club Football struggled to keep up with Wittenberg University (JV) on Sunday, falling 27-7.
The Buckeyes opened the scoring on a 9-yard run by sophomore running back JR Burton in the first quarter, but would be shut out the rest of the game.
Ohio State’s defense nearly posted a shutout in the first half, before a Tiger touchdown with under a minute left tied the game at 7-7 going into halftime.
The second half saw the Tigers turn two Buckeye miscues into points, as Wittenberg blocked an Ohio State punt for a score and returned a Buckeye fumble for a score, ultimately pulling away in the second half.
Ohio State quarterback Spencer Moore completed 22-of-39 passes for 208 yards, however the Buckeyes managed negative net rushing yards on the day, as Moore was sacked five times. Zach Hayes led the team with eight catches for 87 yards. David Cooper chipped in five catches for 73 yards.
Defensively, the Buckeyes only surrendered 13 points and even blocked a Wittenberg punt in the second half. Freshman corner Reagan Little corralled his first career interception late in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State is now fighting for its postseason life, as each game the rest of the season is win-or-go-home. The Buckeyes are set to host Toledo on Sunday, Nov. 5 in its only home game of the season. The winner will take on Michigan State in the conference title game with the right to move on to the NCFA semifinals. Kickoff against the Rockets is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Lincoln Tower Park.
Ohio State Club Football 