BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University football team closed out the 2022 season as it fell to No. 2 nationally ranked University of Mount Union on the final play of regulation in an Ohio Athletic Conference, Seniors Day, and Veterans Appreciation Day game by a final score of 23-21 on the Tressel Field inside of the George Finnie Stadium
BW (7-3, 7-2 OAC) fell to 37-22-1 in the all-time series with Mount Union (10-0, 9-0 OAC). With the victory, the Purple Raiders claimed their 33rd OAC Championship, including winning 26 of the last 27 titles.
Offensively for the Yellow Jackets, senior quarterback Reese Wamer (Oregon/Clay) completed 11-of-21 passes for 127 yards with two touchdowns. Wamer also rushed for 31 yards on nine carries with the go-ahead touchdown with 22 seconds remaining. Senior All-OAC running back Jon Murray, Jr. (Cincinnati/Withrow) rushed for 40 yards on 12 carries. Senior wide receiver Darius Stokes (Canton/GlenOak) caught six passes for 77 yards. Senior wide receiver Jake Novak (Oregon/Clay) caught a career-high six passes for a career-best 73 yards with a career-high two touchdowns. Defensively, junior linebacker Mason Levasseur (Panama City, Fla./South Walton) recorded a game-high 11 tackles. Freshman linebacker Dom Tromba (Painesville/Riverside) tallied a career-best 10 tackles.
Offensively for Mount Union, senior All-OAC quarterback Braxton Plunk completed 29-of-47 passes for 281 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior All-OAC running back DeAndre Parker rushed for a game-high 105 yards on 20 carries. Parker also caught nine passes for 68 yards. Senior All-OAC wide out Wayne Ruby, Jr. caught six passes for 94 yards with the game-winning touchdown. Defensively, junior All-OAC linebacker Mason McMillian and senior Academic All-OAC safety Ian Sexton each had eight tackles.
1st Quarter (MTU, 7-0)
- 6:18 Manley 13-yard pass from Plunk (Senior Academic All-OAC kicker Thomas Piccirillo kick is good)
2nd Quarter (MTU, 17-0)
- 7:56 Piccirillo 31-yard field goal
- 0:26 Reed 9-yard pass from Plunk (Piccirillo kick is good))
4th Quarter (MTU, 23-21)
- 13:58 Novak 18-yard pass from Wamer (Junior kicker Dean Sarris (Canton/GlenOak) kick is good)
- 7:19 Novak 20-yard pass from Wamer (Sarris kick is good)
- 0:22 Wamer 1-yard run (Sarris kick is good)
- 0:00 Ruby, Jr. 48-yard pass from Plunk
