Greencastle, Ind. - DePauw's defense limited visiting Ohio Wesleyan to minus-39 rushing yards and the offense scored the game's first 17 points as the Tigers topped the Battling Bishops, 24-7, on Nick Mourouzis Field at Blackstock Stadium. The Tigers improved to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, while Ohio Wesleyan dropped to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

The teams exchanged punts into the second quarter before DePauw tried to convert a fourth down just across midfield, but the Battling Bishops shut down the run and took over on their own 47. Four plays later DePauw linebacker Daniel Rafeedie picked off Ohio Wesleyan quarterback Zane Ries at the Tigers' 27. 

The Tigers were unable to convert and the teams again exchanged punts before DePauw took over on its own 10 with 3:03 left in the first half. Quarterback Chase Andries connected with Trey Shaw for an 18-yard gain on second down. Andries then went deep to Jaylon Smith who caught the pass on the left side near the OWU 40 and outran the defense for a 73-yard score. Joe Sullivan's point-after made it 7-0 with 1:48 left in the half.

DePauw's defense forced a fifth punt of the half and the Tigers drove to the Bishops' 15, but couldn't reach paydirt and Sullivan missed a 33-yard field goal try as time expired.

Ohio Wesleyan drove to the DePauw 33 on its opening drive of the third, but the Tigers stopped the guests on downs.

Later, DePauw took over on its own 30 with 6:50 remaining in the third and Andries teamed with Trey Shaw down the right sideline for what appeared to be a score, but a penalty at the OWU 3 brought it back to the 18. Gus Baumgartner carried four straight times with the last one covering one yard for the score as the Tigers took a 14-0 advantage with 3:47 remaining in the quarter.

Sullivan tacked on a 21-yard field goal with 8:42 remaining in the contest to extend the lead to 17-0.

DePauw recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the OWU 26, but were eventually forced to punt. Ohio Wesleyan started on its 20 and was immediately driven back with a 10-yard sack by David Guhl. Ries converted a third-down pass to J.T. Dozier for 49 yards to the Tigers' 41. Ries later tossed a 2-yard scoring pass to Kenny Streb to cut DePauw's lead to 17-7 with 4:40 remaining.

The Battling Bishops attempted an onside kick, but the Tigers recovered at the OWU 44. Five plays later Baumgartner scored on a 13-yard run to push the lead to 24-7 with 2:57 left. 

DePauw's defense stopped Ohio Wesleyan on the next series and the offense ran out the clock for the win.

The Tigers outgained the Battling Bishops, 398-249 and outrushed them 135-(-39). 

Andries completed 13 of 24 passes for 263 yards and one touchdown, while Baumgartner rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries. Smith hauled in five catches for 137 yards and a score. 

Ries completed 28 of 51 passes for 288 yards with Dozier catching nine for 141 yards.

Liam Pooler led the DePauw defense with six tackles, while Guhl had two sacks for 17 yards and Brevon Gude and Connor Surber added one sack apiece. Joe Zanca had nine hurries for the Tigers.

Cody Streit paced the Ohio Wesleyan defense with 12 tackles with Marquel Henry and Travis Sanders each totaling eight.

DePauw travels to Allegheny on Saturday, October 23, for a 1 p.m. contest against the Gators.

NOTES

• The minus-39 yards of rushing defense was the Tigers' best effort since holding Wooster to -50 on September 22, 2018.
• DePauw moved into sole possession of first place in the NCAC.
• The Tigers have now won five straight overall and nine consecutive against Division III schools. DePauw has won eight straight at Blackstock Stadium.
• Gus Baumgartner's 109 rushing yards marked the first time a DePauw player has topped the century mark since quarterback Jake Lasky totaled 134 at Denison (10/14/2017). The last DePauw running back to do so was Jason Kirchhoff with 171 yards at Allegheny (10/15/2016).
• In five NCAC games this year, the Tigers have allowed just 58 points (11.6/game).
• Chase Andries passed Andy Yoder and Tony de Nicola and moved into seventh on DePauw's all-time passing yardage list.