Wabash came back from a two-touchdown deficit to knock off previously unbeaten Carnegie Mellon Saturday, 54-28. Senior quarterback Chase Belton had a record-setting day with four passing and three rushing touchdowns.
The seven touchdowns Belton accounted for is the most by in a player in a single game in Wabash College football history.
“Chase ran the ball great and did a great job finding the open guy and putting the ball on him,” Coach Erik Raeburn
said.
Belton turned in one of the best games of his career. He ran for 198 yards while throwing for 183. Belton accounted for 5 touchdowns in last year’s homecoming game against Kenyon.
“Our offensive line came out really hard,” Belton said. “I loved how they played. When Wabash is clicking on all cylinders, it is a pretty tough team.”
The Little Giant offense clicked on all cylinders, and then a few extra. It totaled 566 yards in total offense and put up the most points it has scored all season.
Wabash’s Houston Hodges
, made his first appearance on the offense, played both sides of the ball Saturday. The former Plymouth Rockie notched a 30-yard TD – the first of his Wabash career, 44-28. That quick turnaround was made possible by a gutsy but unsuccessful fourth down run attempt. Houston had an another 49 yard reception to help take control of the game in the 3rd quarter.
“I haven’t scored since high school so I didn’t know what to do at first,” Houston Hodges
said. “The change of pace from defense to offense is the biggest thing. Defense is slowed down to make sure you get it right to where the offense is constantly running plays.”
had 2 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also had 5 tackles. Houston Hodges now leads the Little Giants in all purpose yards for the season.
In the beginning of the 3rd quarter as Carnegie Mellon was driving down field and in control of the momentum when former Plymouth Rockie Austin Hodges made the defensive play of the game. Hodges ran down Carnegie Mellon’s running back from behind after a long run stripping the running back and forcing a fumble which the Little Giants recovered. Wabash on their next possession scored to take control of the game. Austin finished the day with two tackles and a couple pass break ups.
Former Plymouth Rockie Brock Smith continues make a solid contribution on special teams for the Little Giants as well.
Wabash Travels to Ohio next Saturday to take on Wittenberg University in a game that will go along way to determining the conference champion in the NCAC.
