Sole possession of second place was on the line in a big North Coast Athletic Conference battle on Saturday afternoon at Little Giant Stadium when Wabash welcomed in the Wittenberg Tigers. Both teams came into the contest at 5-2 (4-1 NCAC).The day belonged however to Wabash. The Little Giants from the opening kick dominated the visiting Tigers en route to a 52-20 win.
There was plenty of historic milestones in the win as well for the Little Giants. Senior QB Liam Thompson continues to break more records and have his name at the top of Wabash and the NCAC record book. Thompson broke the NCAC career record for touchdown passes and broke the Wabash career record for total offense. Both records were held by former Little Giant Jake Knott who had 97 TD passes and had 12,054 total yards. Thompson after a four TD, and 334 yard day (256 pass 74 rush) now has 99 career passing touchdowns and 12,275 career yards. Also in the win Wabash Head Coach Don Morel got his 100th career win. Morel is the 31st active D3 coach to reach that mark.
It took just 56 seconds for the Wabash offense to score when Thompson found his brother Connor Thompson streaking down the Wittenberg sideline for a 64 yard score. Just two minutes later Wabash scored again on 23 yard catch from Derek Allen Jr. Allen Jr. would make it 21-0 with yet another 23 yard TD and Wabash added a field goal to take a 24-6 lead after the opening quarter.
“We really played well out of the gate today,” Wabash Coach Don Morel said. “In this league you want to peak at the right time and I think we are beginning to do that and we’re where we want to be heading into the final two weeks.”
Wabash churned out 517 total yards compared to just 287 for the Tigers. The Little Giants along with Thompson’s 256 yards through the air also showed extreme balance with 261 yards on the ground. Cade Campbell had 114 yards on 14 carries to go along with Thompson’s 78. Connor Grimes added 33 yards on nine attempts. Through the air Allen Jr. had eight catches for 104 yards and three TD’s. Connor Thompson had four more for 88 yards.
Allen Jr. noted how this was statement game for the Little Giants who still control their destiny for a conference title and D3 playoff berth.
“As a team we were all locked in today,” Allen said after the win. “We also see this as we only have four home games so we can’t afford to lose here. We remember when they beat us on this field two years ago so it was a statement game for us. Liam and I have a special relationship and it continues to show week in and week out the work that we both put in. We’re like brothers and have just a special chemistry with one another.”
The Wabash defense after giving up a late first quarter score, didn’t allow another point until the game was well in hand in the fourth quarter. The Little Giant reserves played the entire fourth quarter and the Tigers made the score look a bit cleaner. One of those reserves who saw playing time was former North Montgomery lineman Dylan Braun who recorded three tackles for the Little Giants.
Wabash with the win improves to 6-2 (5-1 NCAC) and will hit the road next week to take on Hiram (1-8, 1-6 NCAC) which is slated for a noon kickoff. Here in two weeks will likely be for all the marbles when the DePauw Tigers come to Little Giant Stadium in the 129th rendition of the Monon Bell Classic.
