Wittenberg University Football

10/31/2026

GAMEDAY #8

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

Throwback Thursday to a Wittenberg Tiger who built a lasting legacy in college football

Bob Wagner ’69 was a standout two-sport athlete for the Tigers, earning recognition as an offensive tackle on the football field and a defenseman on the lacrosse team.

On the gridiron, Wagner earned First-Team All-OAC honors twice and helped Wittenberg compile a 28-7 record over four seasons, including a conference championship. A team captain as a senior, he capped his playing career with Honorable Mention Lutheran All-America honors in 1968. He was also a two-time all-region selection in lacrosse.

After graduating with a degree in management in 1969, Wagner began a coaching career that spanned multiple levels of football. Following stops at Muskingum, Wooster and the University of Washington, he joined the University of Hawaii staff in 1977, eventually becoming defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach.

From 1987–95, Wagner led the Rainbow Warriors to historic milestones, including the program’s first Western Athletic Conference championship in 1992 and its first NCAA Division I top-20 finish. He earned WAC Coach of the Year honors twice, in 1989 and 1992, and finished his college head-coaching career with 58 wins.

Wagner later served as athletic director at Kamehameha Schools–Hawaii, continuing his impact on student-athletes beyond the football field. He passed away in Hawaii on October 3, 2023, at age 76, leaving behind a legacy that reached far beyond Springfield.

From a two-sport standout in the red and white to a trailblazing head coach in Hawaii, Wagner’s life was defined by leadership, dedication and a lasting love for the game.

Player.
Coach.
Tiger.

10/28/2026

Week 8⌚️‼️

10/24/2026

GAMEDAY #7

10/22/2026

Throwback Thursday to one of the greatest offensive line duos in Wittenberg history

Ken Bonner and Eric Horstman formed a dominant tandem on the right side of the Tigers’ offensive line from 1985–88, helping establish Wittenberg as one of the premier programs in Division III football.

Bonner was a four-year starter at right guard, while Horstman started three seasons at right tackle and earned four varsity letters. Together, they helped the Tigers compile a 28-13 overall record and a 22-10 mark in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Their impact was especially evident in the passing game, as Wittenberg surrendered just 12 sacks on nearly 500 pass attempts over their final two seasons.

Bonner earned First-Team All-OAC honors three times and was named Second-Team All-America in 1987 before earning First-Team All-America recognition in 1988. As a senior captain, he helped lead the Tigers to an OAC championship and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance, including an upset of the University of Dayton in the opening round.

Horstman earned First-Team All-OAC honors in 1987 and 1988 and was a two-time First-Team All-American. In 1988, he received the prestigious Mike Gregory Award as the OAC’s Offensive Player of the Year, along with the Golden Helmet Award, recognizing the Tiger football student-athlete who best exemplified the program’s values.

Their excellence, consistency, and toughness made them one of the most accomplished offensive line combinations in Wittenberg history. In 2012, both were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor, cementing their place among the program’s greats.

Two Linemen.
One Wall.
Tigers.

10/21/2026

Week 7⌚️‼️

10/17/2026

GAMEDAY #6

10/16/2026

Throwback Thursday to one of the fiercest defenders in Wittenberg history

Dean Caven ’77 was a cornerstone of the Tigers’ legendary “Check Mate” defenses of the 1970s, helping establish Wittenberg as one of the premier programs in Division III football.

During his career, Caven helped lead the Tigers to two national championships and three Ohio Conference championships, earning a reputation as one of the most dominant defensive players to wear the red and white.

Caven’s individual accomplishments were just as impressive. He earned the Bill Edwards Golden Helmet Award in both 1975 and 1976, First-Team All-Ohio Conference honors in each of those seasons, and First-Team Kodak All-America recognition in 1976. He also earned Second-Team Academic All-America honors, proving his excellence extended beyond the football field.

Following his playing career, Caven continued his education, earning a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University. He later became co-owner of Caven’s Meats in Conover, Ohio.

In recognition of his outstanding career and lasting impact on Wittenberg football, Caven was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor in 1994.

Defender.
Champion.
Tiger.

10/14/2026

Week 6 ⌚️‼️