Baldwin Wallace University Yellow Jackets (0-0) vs. Wittenberg University (0-0)
Saturday, September 7, 2024
12:00 p.m.
Tressel Field, The George Finnie Stadium
46th Lee Tressel Shrine Classic
Tickets:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3TeqaAA
Game Program:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/4cUKrC0
WBWC 88.3 FM Live Audio:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3P015pX
Live Statistics:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3ThJ8Go
Live Video (Matt Florjancic '07 Handles Play by Play):
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/47hxDor
Complete BW Game Notes (.pdf)
Today's Contest
Today is the first game of the 2024 season and the lone non-conference game for Baldwin Wallace University football team as it hosts renews its rivalry with Wittenberg University. BW closed out the 2023 season as it fell to Ohio Athletic Conference Champion the University of Mount Union by a final score of 41-17. Wittenberg ended the 2023 campaign with a 52-24 victory over The College of Wooster.
The Series
BW and Wittenberg are meeting for the 43rd time on the gridiron and for the first time since the 1999 season. The Tigers hold a 21-20-1 all-time series advantage. The series began in 1986 with Wittenberg defeating the Yellow Jackets, 18-0.
1978 NCAA Division III Championship
BW won its lone NCAA Division III Football Championship in 1978 when it defeated Wittenberg by a final score of 24-10. The Yellow Jackets capped off an impressive 11-0-1 record.
Last Game vs. Wittenberg --September 11, 1999
BW scored 21 points on 237 yards passing, 121 yards rushing and 358 total yards. Wittenberg scored 26 points on 195 yards passing, 73 yards rushing and 268 total yards.
BW Head Coach Jim Hilvert
Hilvert is in his eight season at BW and has a record of 42-20 and Ohio Athletic Conference slate of 36-18. He is 109-46 in his 16th overall season.  Hilvert has not faced Wittenberg in his coaching career.
Wittenberg Head Coach Jim Collins
Collins is in his third season at Wittenberg and has a record of 12-8 and a North Coast Athletic Conference mark of 10-6. He is 147-141 in his 28th overall season. Collins was the head coach at Capital University for 11 seasons and holds a 53-46 record in the OAC. He is 5-6 all-time vs. BW, including winning his final four games in Bexley.
Scouting the Yellow Jackets
BW finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 6-4 and a fourth place finish in the OAC with a mark of 7-3. The Yellow Jackets averaged 31.1 points-per-game on 203.8 yards passing, 184.8 yards rushing for 388.6 yards of total offense.
BW Leaders
Offensively, sophomore quarterback Charlie Bubonics (Solon) is the top returning signal caller as he completed 20-of-40 passes for 287 yards with three touchdowns. Senior running back Victor Ford, Jr. (Cleveland/Shaker Heights) returns to lead the ground attack as he rushed for 641 yards on 109 carries with seven touchdowns. Sophomore running back George Linberger (Barberton/St. Vincent-St. Mary) rushed for 589 yards on 116 carries with eight touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Tim Conwell (Avon) is the top returning target after he caught 28 passes for 337 yards with three touchdowns. Defensively, junior defensive end Hasim Rashid (Cleveland/Shaker Heights) is the tip returning tackler with 70 tackles. Junior linebacker Dom Tromba (Painesville/Riverside) tallied 43 stops.
Scouting the Tigers
Wittenberg finished the 2023 campaign with an overall record of 7-3 and a second place finish in the NCAC with a mark of 6-2. The Tigers averaged 37.5 points-per-contest on 248.5 yards passing, 162.4 yards rushing for 410.9 yards of total offense.
Wittenberg Leaders
Offensively, senior quarterback Max Milton completed 208-of-310 passes for 2,304 yards with 24 touchdowns. The backfield will see a new work horse as the top three rushers in 2023 have departed. Senior tight end Troy Teepe returns as the top target after he caught 25 passes for 266 yards with eight touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Tyre Smith returns as the top tackler with 70 stops.
Bold & Gold Weekend
BW will host its Bold and Gold Weekend on September 27 and 28. The Homecoming game features BW and the University of Mount Union on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Hall of Fame Game
BW will induct the 2024 members of its Athletics Alumni Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 12 prior to the Ohio Athletic Conference game between BW and Otterbein University at 1:30 p.m. The newest inductees will be introduced to the Finnie Stadium crowd between the first and second quarters.
Radio Broadcast
BW campus radio station WBWC, 88.3 FM, broadcasts most home and away football games. You also can listen to the games live at www.wbwc.com. The pregame show generally starts 15 minutes prior to kickoff.
