Box Score PHOTOS
WILMINGTON, Ohio – The University of Mount Union pitched its second consecutive shutout, defeating the Wilmington College football team 63-0 in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) game at Williams Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Wilmington took the opening kickoff and moved the chains twice. Derek Larimer connected with Itika Wynn Jr. on a perfectly executed screen play for 24 yards. A holding penalty would force the hosts to punt. Mount Union scored on its first drive, but the Fightin' Quaker defense looked to force a field goal on the next drive as Jarod Lee sacked Braxton Plunk on 3rd-and-long. Mount Union elected to forgo a 43-yard field goal attempt, and Plunk found Ulice Gillard III for a 23-yard score. Up 14-0, the visitors scored on three of their next four possessions to take a 35-0 lead into halftime.
The Purple Raiders, ranked No. 4 in the most recent D3football.com Top 25 Poll, scored touchdowns on the first two plays from scrimmage, a 64-yard pass from Plunk to Wayne Ruby on a screen pass and a 39-yard connection between Plunk and Jaden Manley. The Quakers' best drive of the game came midway through the fourth quarter thanks to the arm of Tim Triplett, the legs of Tyreeq Nebbitt and the hands of Zac Schmidt. The drive stalled, however, as Triplett's pass on 4th-and-goal sailed over the head of Jerome Mack.
Mount Union gained 580 yards of offense with 359 of those coming through the air and 221 on the ground. Wilmington gained 161 yards from scrimmage with 100 yards passing and 61 on the ground. The Purple Raiders were 4-of-10 on third downs while the Quakers moved the sticks four times on 15 attempts. Neither side committed a turnover.
For the Purple Raiders, Plunk was 18-of-24 for 302 yards and five touchdowns while backup Todd Simmons also threw a touchdown. Clay Harvey led the rushing attack with 99 yards and a touchdown on four carries while Ruby caught seven passes for 147 yards and three scores. Defensively, Mason McMillen led the way with eight tackles.
For the Quakers, Larimer finished 11-of-18 for 71 yards passing while Nebbitt carried nine times for a total of 36 yards. Wynn Jr. and Schmidt combined for seven catches and 60 yards. Lee and Tre'Quez Parks both had six tackles to lead the Wilmington defense with Lee's sack and a tackle for loss from Jake Sheriff as well. Xzerious Stinnett had a single pass breakup.
Wilmington (0-5, 0-4 OAC) hosts Marietta College next Saturday.
