CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND.  --  The Hiram College football team was defeated by No. 11/14 nationally-ranked Wabash (Ind.) College, 66-0, in a North Coast Athletic Conference game in Crawfordsville, Ind.

Wabash (8-0, 7-0 NCAC) looked to make a statement right from the start holding Hiram (2-6, 1-6 NCAC) to a minus 21 yards in its first three possessions and converted it into 35 points in the first quarter, that included two interceptions returned for touchdowns.  The Little Giants scored three offensive touchdowns in the period on a three-yard run by Anthony Stella, a 17-yard pass play from quarterback Michael Putko to Houston Hodges, and a two-yard run by CP Porter to boast a 35-point advantage after the first 15 minutes.

In the second quarter, Wabash began the period with a 26-yard field goal by Ian MacDougall to extend the margin to 38-0.  Following a Hiram fumble on its first possession of the quarter, the Little Giants found the endzone again on a one-yard rush by Putko to make the score 45-0 with 12:45 left in the half.  Wabash attempted an on-side kick following the score and would recover the ball, but the drive ended in an interception by All-NCAC senior Josh Peacock (Carson City, Nev./Carson).  Hiram returned the favor with an interception of its own and in its next drive had a third interception return for a touchdown to give Wabash a 59-0 lead at the intermission.

The second half would feature 14 total points with Wabash scoring a TD in both the third and fourth quarters.  The Little Giants found the endzone in the third quarter on a five-yard TD run by Matt Gibson and he also found paydirt in the fourth on a nine-yard TD scamper to round out the scoring as Wabash cruised to the 66-0 final.

Wabash finished the game with 342 yards of total offense (211 rushing and 131 passing) and was led offensively by Gibson who rushed for 57 yards on seven carries and had two TD.  Putko completed five-of-eight passes for 78 yards and had a TD and an interception.  Hodges led all receivers with three catches for 49 yards and a TD.  Defensively, Nate Scola had a game-high eight tackles to go along with five tackles for loss.  Justin Woods had just one tackle, but would return two interceptions for TD.

Offensively for Hiram, freshman quarterback Domenic Paolo (Chardon/Harding) completed seven-of-18 passes for 45 yards and had four interceptions.  Senior wideout Darren Gibson (Lakewood) caught a game-tying high three passes for 14 yards.  Defensively, sophomore Chris Allen (Port Charlotte, Fla./Port Charlotte) had a team-high seven tackles (six solo and one assist) to go along with one tackle for loss.

Hiram will host DePauw (Ind.) University next Saturday, Nov. 9 in a NCAC game at Charles A. Henry Field in the home finale.  It will also be senior day with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.