Fifth-year quarterback Kaden Buza hit 11 different receivers in Saturday’s blowout win over visiting Oberlin.
Courtesy | Paul Vernon
By Tony Carter
For the Gazette
Like points? Then Saturday’s North Coast Athletic Conference showdown between Oberlin and host Ohio Wesleyan was the game for you.
The Bishops held up their end of the bargain, at least, rolling to a 74-0 win over the Yeomen at Selby Stadium in Delaware.
OWU’s outburst was three points shy of its modern single-game scoring record — a mark it set with 77 points against Oberlin two years ago.
Following a three-and-out to start the ballgame, junior cornerback Dom Costa recovered a shanked punt and took it to the endzone. The Yeoman could not get anything offensively on the ensuing possession, either, as the Bishop offense looked to break it open early.
Fifth-year quarterback Kaden Buza connected with junior wide receiver C.T. Taylor for a 17-yard touchdown halfway through the first quarter. Buza completed three passes to different receivers during the possession. On their next drive, Buza found another junior wide-out in J.T. James for a Bishop touchdown.
The Battling Bishops rattled off 34 points in the second quarter to put it to rest.
Freshman receiver Austin Koslow scampered for a 20-yard rushing touchdown and freshman running back Nathan Severs exploded for a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the next drive to make it a 33-0 game. With 5:04 left in the first half, Buza threw his third passing touchdown to junior Bryan Hines Jr.
The Oberlin offense went three-and-out again on the next possession and, on fourth-and-19, Yeomen punter Colton Danel legged a 43-yard punt to OWU’s 36-yard line. Koslow took care of things from there, finding a crease and returning it 64 yards to the house.
In the second half, the Battling Bishops accumulated three defensive touchdowns, all of which stemmed from interceptions. Freshman Ryan Keaton, sophomore strong safety Bryce Johnson, and freshman linebacker Khalil Buck-Barber all scored their first collegiate touchdowns.
Buza went 12-for-14 with 161 passing yards and three touchdowns and 11 different Ohio Wesleyan players caught a pass. Severs ran for 111 yards and picked up a rushing touchdown, Koslow and sophomore Tim Davis each had a rushing touchdown and sophomore Lane Howard led the defense with six total tackles.
The Ohio Wesleyan wide-receiver core settled in with Buza as Taylor, James, and Hines Jr. were asked to step up after junior Josh Hurst went down with a season-ending leg injury last week — a big blow to the offense as Hurst led the team in receptions and receiving yards in the 2023 season.
Ohio Wesleyan travels to play Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, Saturday in a non-conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
