Football
2003 Football News Releases
All Releases Written by: Ryan Maurer
Director of Sports Information
E-Mail: rmaurer@wittenberg.edu
November 20, 2003
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| Mike Freeman |
The Tigers got 48 yards on 15 carries from freshman tailback Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) and 47 yards on 15 carries from freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) to lead the rushing attack in the absence of leading rusher Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida), who had 18 yards on five carries in the first quarter before departing the game with an injury. Brumfield and Harmon both scored touchdowns in the first half as Wittenberg ran out to a seemingly comfortable 20-0 lead.
Sandwiched in between their scores was a 12-yard scoring reception by senior wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), who finished with 48 yards on five catches. Sophomore wide receiver Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) added seven catches for 85 yards and a 30-yard scoring reception in the third quarter that provided what turned out to be the winning points. Harmon also had two catches for 22 yards as junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) finished the day 16-of-31 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Wittenberg "held" Sutton in check for the most part, allowing him just one run over 20 yards. The Tigers recorded four sacks, including a key one on fourth down in the fourth quarter by sophomore Clinton Tiggs (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and intercepted four passes - two each by sophomores Brandon Slade (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) and Mike Freeman (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne). The last one was a terrific juggling pick along the sidelines that Freeman took to the house in the third quarter.
Senior linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) recorded 17 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, to lead the Tiger defense, while freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) added 14 tackles and freshman linebacker Devon Combs (Columbus, Ohio/South) finished with 10. Freeman had eight tackles, the aforementioned two interceptions and two passes defensed.
The Tigers did not advance to the NCAA Division III Playoffs for the first time in six years, but they did have a tremendous "rebuilding" year. Wittenberg finished a perfect 6-0 at home and 2-2 on four long road trips out of state. The team loses just two starters on defense, record-setting kicker Conrad Hindert (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont) and four offensive starters for the 2004 season. Many freshmen and sophomores received substantial playing time in 2003.
Next: Season Complete
November 13, 2003
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| Skip Ivery |
The Tigers got big offensive games from senior wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) and freshman tailback Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) to help the top-scoring team in the North Coast Athletic Conference to another lop-sided victory. Ivery caught six passes for 104 yards, including three touchdowns to move his career total to 22 (fourth-most in school history). Holmes completed 15 of 25 passes for 239 yards and the three TDs to Ivery. Brumfield filled in for injured starter Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida), who went down after three carries for 25 yards in the first quarter, and the freshman posted a career-high 107 yards on 25 carries.
Hampshire started the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run four minutes into the first quarter, and that was followed by a one-yard TD plunge by freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian). Ivery added touchdown receptions of 36, 18 and 1 yard and senior kicker Conrad Hindert (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont) added a 27-yard field goal to round the Tigers' first-half scoring. The final Tiger touchdown came in the third quarter on a two-yard run by Brumfield.
Hindert set a school record in the win by making all six of his point-after attempts to extend his streak of successful extra-point attempts to 38, breaking the previous record of 33. He is also 5-of-5 this season on field goals after hitting a 37-yarder against Huntingdon.
Eight different Tiger players caught at least one pass, including sophomore Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown), who had six catches for 95 yards. Harmon was the second-leading ground gainer with 36 yards on eight carries, while sophomore quarterback George Andress (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) was solid in his time during the second half as he completed six of 10 passes for 62 yards.
Defensively, freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) led with seven tackles, while junior Chris Vennefron (Somerville, Ohio/Edgewood), sophomore Mike Freeman (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and freshman Devon Combs (Columbus, Ohio/South) all added six tackles.
The Tigers put the finishing touches on the 2003 season this weekend against the College of Wooster at Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield. Nine seniors will be honored prior to their final home game: Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek), Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian), Conrad Hindert (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont), Peter Franz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), Chad Thompson (Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands), Andrew Wheeler (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter), Kurt Forrest (Mechanicsburg, Ohio/Mechanicsburg), Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) and Mike Flickinger (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills). All nine have started at least three games for the 2003 team, and all have made great contributions to the Wittenberg football program.
This year's senior class has a four-year record of 41-7, one of the best in school history. The group has been involved in three NCAA Division III Tournaments, spanning a total of seven games, and the Tigers won a pair of NCAC titles (2000 and 2001).
Next: 11/15 vs. Wooster, 1 p.m.
November 6, 2003
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| Peter Franz |
Wittenberg's first score of the game came late in the first quarter as sophomore wide receiver Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) took a short pass from junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) 65 yards to a touchdown. In the second quarter, Wittenberg got on the board again on a two-yard scoring burst by freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian).
In the second half, Wittenberg took its only lead of the game on a 25-yard scoring run by junior tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) in the third stanza. But Allegheny came back to score its fourth touchdown of the day and then the Gators came up with several defensive stands to make the six-point margin stand up. As a team, Wittenberg finished with 413 total yards, including 259 on the ground. Allegheny posted a total of 356 yards, including 225 yards passing. The key to the game was turnovers as the Tigers had one interception and two fumbles. Individually, Wittenberg got 147 yards rushing on 26 carries from Hampshire and 99 yards on 21 carries from Harmon. Holmes finished with 11 completions on 21 attempts for 154 yards and Glover topped the receiving corps with 97 yards on four receptions.
Defensively, three players finished with seven total tackles - senior linebacker Peter Franz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) and junior defensive tackle Jarrett Brown (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles). Sophomore safety Yusef Abdul-Zahir (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) had one interception for 15 yards and four total tackles.
The Tigers are back in action on Nov. 8 for the final road trip of the 2003 season at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. That game was originally scheduled to be against Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, but the Lords withdrew from conference play this season.
Next: 11/8 at Huntingdon, 2 p.m. (EST)
October 30, 2003
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| Ryan Holmes |
Wittenberg got touchdowns from seven different players in posting its second consecutive shutout victory. Wittenberg ran up 538 yards of total offense to 237 for the Battling Bishops.
Wittenberg got on the board on its first play from scrimmage as junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) hooked up with senior wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) on an 83-yard scoring pass. Just 56 seconds later, sophomore cornerback Mike Freeman (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) returned an interception 24 yards to make the score 14-0 and the rout was on.
Ivery had one of the biggest games in his outstanding career with five receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns and two carries for 23 yards. Holmes was equally outstanding with 11 completions in 15 attempts for a career-high 268 yards and three touchdowns. His back-up, sophomore George Andress (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior), also got into the act, completing both of his passes for 36 yards and one touchdown.
The scoring barrage continued in the second quarter as junior tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) scored on runs of 16 and three yards and Ivery added a 19-yard TD reception from Holmes. Hampshire, who now has 705 yards rushing and 14 total touchdowns on the season, led all rushers with 82 yards on 15 carries, while freshman Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) finished with 70 yards on seven carries and freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) added 49 yards on nine carries.
Sophomore wide receiver Dymond McDonald (Troy, Ohio/Troy), Harmon, freshman wide receiver Mark Harriman (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) and freshman tailback Scott Williams (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) all scored touchdowns in the second half as reserves gobbled up most of the playing time. Defensively, senior linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) led the team with a career-high 17 tackles. Senior linebacker Peter Franz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) and freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) added 12 tackles each.
Wittenberg is ranked No. 25 in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll. The Tigers put their season on the line Saturday as they travel to Meadville, Pa. for a game against NCAC-leading Allegheny.
Next: 11/1 at Allegheny, 1 p.m.
October 23, 2003
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| Joe Brumfield |
Wittenberg got three touchdowns rushing from junior tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida), two touchdowns receiving from sophomore wide receiver Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) and three touchdowns passing from junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda). The Tigers jumped out to a 49-0 lead before halftime and put it in cruise control, running reserves in and out of the game throughout the second half.
The scoring started with a one-yard jaunt by Hampshire. That was followed by a five-yard scoring pass from Holmes to Glover, a four-yard touchdown run by freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) and an 18-yard TD burst by Hampshire to make the score 28-0 at the close of the first quarter. In the second quarter, senior wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) scored on a 14-yard pass from Holmes, Glover added a 22-yard scoring reception and Hampshire capped his day with a 56-yard scoring run.
In the third quarter, sophomore wide receiver Ryan Stafford (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) hauled in his first career touchdown on a seven-yard pass from sophomore quarterback George Andress (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) and freshman tailback Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) added a 12-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, sophomore kicker Justin Bockbrader (Columbus, Ohio/Franklin Heights) hit a 32-yard field goal to provide the final score of the game.
Individually, Wittenberg was paced by Hampshire's 134 rushing yards on just 13 carries, while Brumfield finished with his first career 100-yard game as he added 104 yards on 18 carries. Holmes finished 9-of-11 for 105 yards and Andress added five completions in six attempts for 40 yards and a touchdown. Ivery finished with five receptions for 62 yards to lead the receiving corps. Defensively, senior linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) finished with seven tackles, including one for a four-yard loss and freshman linebacker Devon Combs (Columbus, Ohio/South) added a career-high six tackles.
Next: 10/25 vs. Ohio Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
October 16, 2003
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| Jered Glover |
Wabash, the defending NCAC champion and winner of two 2002 games against Wittenberg, outgained the Tigers 476-301 for the game and held the ball for 36 minutes, compared to 23 for the Tigers. In the first quarter, the Little Giants set the tone immediately, taking the opening kickoff and methodically driving downfield to the first of three first-half scores. Wabash outgained the Tigers, 299-40, had possession of the ball for nine more minutes and gained 18 first downs to Wittenberg's three in the first half.
The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard with 3:37 left in the third quarter as junior tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) wrapped up a 68-yard, 12-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The Tigers concluded their scoring with a 34-yard touchdown hook-up between junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) and senior wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison).
Individually, Holmes finished with 249 yards on 19 completions in 39 attempts. He had one touchdown and his first three interceptions of the season. Hampshire finished with 49 yards rushing on 16 attempts and sophomore wide receiver Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) led the receivers with 104 yards on eight receptions. In three career games against Wabash, Glover has a whopping 28 receptions.
Defensively, senior linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) led the way with 11 total tackles, including two for a loss of 11 yards. Freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) added 10 tackles and sophomore safety Yusef Abdul-Zahir (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) wound up with eight tackles, including one for loss, and a fourth-quarter interception.
Next: 10/18 vs. Hiram, 1 p.m.
October 9, 2003
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| Tyler Harmon |
The Tigers scored in almost every imaginable way, including four touchdown runs, four touchdown passes, an interception return, a field goal and a safety. Wittenberg recorded 28 first downs to Denison's 11, ran up 240 yards rushing to -16 for the Big Red and totaled 445 yards to Denison's 157.
The scoring started on a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian), capping an eight-play, 99-yard, game-opening drive. That score was followed by an 11-yard TD reception by wide receiver Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) from quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda), a two-yard scoring run by tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) and a 30-yard field goal by kicker Conrad Hindert (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont). In the second quarter, tight end Nate Cherry (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard pass from quarterback George Andress (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) and Hampshire added a four-yard scoring run. In the second half, Harmon caught an 11-yard TD pass from Andress, tailback Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) added a one-yard scoring run, defensive lineman Jeff Anzalone (Berea, Ohio/Berea) got a sack in the end zone for a safety and then tailback/safety Adam Hewitt (Piqua, Ohio/Lehman Catholic) made his way into the school record books with a 100-yard interception return for touchdown to cap the scoring with 52 seconds left.
Individually, the Tigers spread the wealth. Eight different players were credited with at least one rushing attempt, led by Hampshire's 72 yards on 11 carries. Three Tiger quarterbacks combined to finish 18-of-27 passing for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Glover led the receivers with 37 yards on five catches and Ivery had 45 yards on three receptions. Ten different players caught at least one pass. Defensively, linebacker Andrew Nichols (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) finished with seven tackles to lead the team, while linebackers Anthoni Fazio (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) and Peter Franz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) added six tackles each.
Next: 10/11 at Wabash, 3 p.m. (EST)
October 2, 2003
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| Jered Glover |
After the Saints opened the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run by Myrion Hopkins, the Tigers' Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) turned things around in a hurry with a school-record 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make the score 7-6. Just before the end of the first quarter, the Tigers struck again to take the lead for good as tailback Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge, and he added the two-point conversion.
Hampshire added a five-yard scoring run to open the second-quarter scoring, and then linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) got into the act, picking off a Thomas More pass and rumbling 30 yards to paydirt. Then wide receiver Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) and quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) combined to open the game up on a 35-yard touchdown pass play with 31 seconds left before halftime.
In the second half, a bad snap to punter Jacob Thomas (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) led to a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Then Glover went back to work, catching a screen pass and turning it into a 36-yard touchdown reception. The third quarter concluded with Hampshire's third score of the game, this one coming from 54 yards out on a screen pass from Holmes. Freshman Jason Hartzler (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) found the end zone for the first time in his career with a 29-yard scoring run with 5:56 left to cap the Tigers' scoring on the day.
The two teams each posted 22 first downs and the net yardage was 424 for the Saints and 440 for Wittenberg. The difference was turnovers and the timing of them - Wittenberg recorded five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown and making two of the plays in the end zone, while the Tigers' two fumbles were not converted into points. Individually, Wittenberg got 111 yards on 17 carries from Hampshire, 69 yards on 10 carries from freshman Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) and 45 yards on four carries from freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian). Ivery totaled 64 yards on four receptions and Glover finished 154 all-purpose yards (22 rushing, 36 receiving and 96 kickoff returns). Holmes finished with 166 yards, no interceptions and three touchdowns on just seven completions in 11 attempts.
Defensively, Wittenberg got a tremendous game from freshman safety Mitch Fonseca (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus), who had 13 tackles, one interception and one pass defensed. Senior linebackers Peter Franz (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) and George had eight tackles apiece, and sophomore Brandon Slade (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) finished with three tackles and two interceptions, including one in the end zone in the first half.
Next: 10/4 vs. Denison, 1 p.m.
September 25, 2003
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| Yusef Abdul-Zahir |
The Tigers are outgaining opponents by a whopping 423.0-195.5 margin per game. Junior Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) leads the Tigers' rushing attack with 257 yards and three touchdowns, and he is averaging a robust 7.8 yards per carry. He has carried the ball 33 times and has been stopped for a loss just once. Through the air, junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) has three touchdowns, 343 yards and no interceptions. His chief targets have been senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) with nine catches for 160 yards and sophomore Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) with eight receptions for 107 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers, who have led the North Coast Athletic Conference in total defense 10 of the last 11 years, have been dominant again. Even with nine new starters, the unit is holding opponents under 200 yards and 10 points per game. Sophomore safety Yusef Abdul-Zahir (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) leads the way with 23 total tackles, including 15 against Urbana.
After a week off, the Tigers are back in action on Saturday with a home game against Thomas More. The Saints bring a 1-2 record into the game, but they have posted back-to-back winning seasons, including a playoff appearance in 2001. Wittenberg has defeated Thomas More each of the last two seasons.
Next: 9/27 vs. Thomas More, 1 p.m.
September 19, 2003
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| Raymar Hampshire |
Against Albion, the Tigers were outstanding from the outset, driving 60 yards on 10 plays on their first drive to set the tone with a one-yard Raymar Hampshire (Lima, Ohio/Elida) plunge into the end zone. The rest of the first half was dominated by Wittenberg's defense and special teams as the Tigers allowed just 87 total yards and scored a second TD on a blocked punt recovered by freshman Ryan McCoart (Fairborn, Ohio/Fairborn). Conrad Hindert (Terrace Park, Ohio/Mariemont) added a pair of 37-yard field goals.
In the second half, Wittenberg again controlled the action. Hampshire scored his second touchdown of the day in the third stanza and freshman Joe Brumfield (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) scored on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.
Individually, Wittenberg got 99 yards on 13 carries from Hampshire, 83 yards on 17 carries from Brumfield and 62 yards on 12 totes for sophomore starting tailback Adam Hewitt (Piqua, Ohio/Lehman Catholic). Junior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) was an efficient 13-of-22 for 148 yards in his first college start. Among his receivers, sophomore Jered Glover (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown) caught five passes for 40 yards and senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) hauled in three passes for 53 yards.
Defensively, Wittenberg was paced by sophomore safety Yusef Abdul-Zahir (Canton, Ohio/McKinley) and senior linebacker Gary George (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) with nine tackles each. Freshman linebacker Serge Thebaud (Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast) had a fantastic debut with seven tackles and the blocked punt that led to the touchdown.
In recognition of his performance against Albion, Raymar Hampshire was named NCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Against Urbana, the Tigers overcame a slow start to pull away for a 38-12 victory.
Wittenberg took the opening kickoff 55 yards in 11 plays and scored the game's first three points on a Hindert 33-yard field goal. Down 12-3 after struggling to score the rest of the first half, Glover got the Tigers moving back in the right direction as he caught a screen pass that covered 42 yards to the end zone with just 53 seconds remaining before halftime.
In the second half, the Tigers looked like a different team, yielding just 59 yards to Urbana's offense and scoring 28 unanswered points. Wittenberg took the lead on a 42-yard touchdown hook-up between Ivery and Holmes in the third quarter. Hampshire went 31 yards for a touchdown, Ivery added a 38-yard TD reception from Holmes and freshman fullback Tyler Harmon (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) recovered a Hampshire fumble in the end zone. Harmon had set that score up with a 54-yard run.
Wittenberg outgained Urbana 437-200 for the game, although the Blue Knights had the ball for more minutes. Individually, Hampshire finished with 158 yards on 20 attempts, both career highs. Holmes was efficient again, completing 12 of his 20 pass attempts for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Ivery had six catches for 107 yards and Glover added 67 yards on three receptions.
Defensively, Abdul-Zahir, who finished with 15 tackles and one tackle for loss, was the star of the game. Defensive tackle Jarrett Brown (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles) was also outstanding with nine tackles, including three for a loss of 17 yards.
In recognition of his performance against Urbana, Abdul-Zahir was named NCAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Wittenberg returns to action on Sept. 27 against Thomas More, a final nonconference game before the NCAC schedule commences on Oct. 4. The Tigers are ranked in the top 20 in all three weekly polls, including No. 11 in the first American Football Coaches Association poll.
Next: 9/27 vs. Thomas More, 1 p.m.
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