TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Wabash College relied on three touchdown passes and two touchdown rushes to hold off a strong effort from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and pick up a 33-23 victory in the 2021 season opener on Saturday night at Cook Stadium.

Liam Thompson finished 19-31 through the air for 341 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 51 yards and one score to lead the Wabash offense.  Donovan Snyder added 68 rushing yards and Jackson Clayborne made two touchdown receptions to provide depth to the Little Giant attack.

Andrew Dion finished 23-45 for 339 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Rose-Hulman performance.  Daniel Huery hauled in two touchdowns and made three receptions for 81 yards, and Noah Thomas had five catches for 94 yards.  Jailen Hobbs pitched in with four receptions for 73 yards, and Adam Tice-Saliu made six catches for 72 yards. 

Kyzer Bowen led the defense with 12 tackles. Michael Stevens recorded 11 tackles and also blocked two extra points.  Rashard Brown snagged an interception, while Cameron Dorsey and Grant Ripperda each had one fumble recovery.

Rose-Hulman took a 3-0 lead on a 22-yard field goal by Brett Tuttle with 11:07 left in the first quarter.  Derek Allen scored on a seven yard touchdown run, and Thompson scored from one yard out to make the score 13-3 in favor of the Little Giants.

Huery hauled in an 11-yard touchdown catch with 40 seconds left in the first quarter to close the score within 13-10.  After another Wabash score, Ripperda caught a 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 left in the first half to bring Rose-Hulman within 20-16 at the break.

Wabash scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns to take a 33-16 advantage.  Huery scored a second touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a 58-yard catch and run to bring the Fightin' Engineers within the final margin of 33-23.

Wabash stands 1-0 on the season, while Rose-Hulman dropped to 0-1.  The Fightin' Engineers return to action next Saturday night at Trine University.