Springfield, Ohio - It took Wittenberg just 18 seconds to reach paydirt and the hosts would score on their first five possessions and eight of their first nine on the way to a 52-14 win over DePauw in the North Coast Athletic Conference opener for both squads. It also marked DePauw's first-ever NCAC football contest. DePauw dropped to 0-2, while Wittenberg improved to 2-0.

The tone was set early as Taylor Wagner fumbled the opening kickoff and Wittenberg scored on its first play from scrimmage with Desi Kirkman running it in from 11 yards.

DePauw picked up a couple of first downs on its next series, but had to punt. Wittenberg followed with a nine-play, 78-yard scoring drive capped by Brendon Cunningham's 9-yard pass from Reed Florence.

Wittenberg added one more first-quarter score as Florence was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass from Zac Wilson which covered 42 yards and gave the hosts a 21-0 lead with 4:31 left in the quarter.

DePauw quarterback Drew Seaman tossed a 13-yard scoring pass to Kevin Ude just 1:08 into the second quarter which ended a 13-play, 80-yard possession. Wittenberg came right back with a three-play drive as Jimmy Dehnke scored on a 16-yard run to push the lead to 28-7.

Florence made it 35-7 after a 76-yard pass play with Jonathan Stoner before Ude scored on a 1-yard pass from Seaman on fourth-and-goal to cut the lead to 35-14 with just 45 seconds left in the half.

A DePauw personal foul after a 29-yard kickoff return by Wittenberg put the ball on the DePauw 46. Florence teamed with Cunningham for a 40-yard pass and, on the next play, Florence carried for a 6-yard score. That gave Wittenberg a 42-14 lead at the intermission.

Wittenberg scored on its first two possessions of the second half to round out the game's scoring.

DePauw totaled 86 rushing yards led by Eric Wilson's 41, while Seaman threw for a career-high 167 yards on 17-of-38 passing. Bobby Coburn hauled in five passes for 47 yards. Ude was among five DePauw players with two catches and both went for scores.

Florence rushed for 46 yards and threw for 336 on 17-of-20 passing with four touchdowns. Stoner had two catches for 112 yards, while Garth Gilbert caught seven for 83 yards.

Cody Crook led DePauw with 12 tackles and a forced fumble, while Phil Ganser had 10. Jack Quinn paced the team with 2.0 tackles for loss as the Tigers totaled 10 as a team. Spencer Leno led Wittenberg with 11 tackles and a forced fumble. 

Wittenberg outgained the Tigers, 508-253 and held a 23-18 edge in first downs.

DePauw travels to Carnegie Mellon on Saturday, September 22, for a 1 p.m. contest.

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