The College of Wooster broke out for 35 points during a 13:06 stretch spanning the first and second quarters, which gave the Fighting Scots a 42-10 cushion at halftime and they eventually secured a 63-10 North Coast Athletic Conference victory over Oberlin College to spoil the Yeomen's debut at Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex Saturday night in Oberlin, Ohio.
The 63 points for Wooster (1-1, 1-0 NCAC) were the seventh-most in school history.
After Oberlin (1-2, 1-1 NCAC) turned the momentum from the celebration of its first home night game in school history into a 10-7 lead, the Scots quickly took control. Their second and third touchdowns, both Richard Barnes-to-Darrian Owens pass plays, came just 2:11 apart and were setup by long returns. First, a 66-yard kickoff return by Tyler Smith was followed on the next snap by Barnes throwing a quick screen to Owens, who juked one defender and sprinted into the end zone for a 29-yard score.
Wooster's defense followed with a three-and-out, then Brandon James returned the punt a career-long 39 yards to set up the offense inside the 40-yard line. Two plays later, Barnes hit Owens for a 27-yard touchdown, putting the Scots ahead 21-10 with :21 left in the first quarter.
Another 21-point spot went on the board in the second. Barnes capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper, and just over two minutes later, he tossed a 15-yard touchdown to Justin Rice. The previous play had been a 35-yard catch-and-run for tight end Jake Zoldan.
Wooster scored a touchdown for a sixth consecutive drive later in the quarter, with Barnes finding Keir Pace from 10 yards out to complete a seven-play, 69-yard possession, and it was 42-10 with 4:40 before halftime.
The Scots began the third quarter with the ball and marched 55 yards in seven plays to another score. Sean Hackel, who had the game's first touchdown, rushed in another, this time from five yards out.
During the fourth quarter, a pair of freshmen running backs – Smith and Derrick Johnson Jr. – completed the scoring with touchdown runs of seven and 17 yards, respectively.
As the final score indicates, Wooster dominated statistically. The Scots tallied 33 first downs, one short of the school record, compared to the Yeomen's 12, and outgained them 574-324. That marks the most yardage for a Wooster team since Nov. 3, 2007 (584 at Earlham College).
Barnes, who became the Scots' career leader in total offense in the season opener and in completions (565) tonight, was a very efficient 13-of-15 passing for 233 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the last 19:20. Pace led the team in receiving yards with 79, while Adam Coppock had a Wooster-high six receptions.
Hackel pounded out 137 rushing yards on 20 carries, while Smith and Johnson, Jr., were solid in relief with 87 and 52 yards, respectively.
Also noteworthy, Trevor Bowden made all nine extra points, tied for the second-most in a single-game at Wooster.
The Scots' defense, which kept Oberlin off the scoreboard for the final 47:50, was paced by senior captains Brandon James and Mitchell Czerniak. They combined for 14 tackles and three pass breakups.
Wooster will finally make its 2014 home debut next Saturday, welcoming Hiram College (2-1, 1-1 NCAC) to John P. Papp Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.