COLLEGE FOOTBALL Wilder becoming 'Mr. Clutch' at B-W

Mooney graduate Nate Wilder has become an integral part of "The Streak."
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- Nate Wilder is building a reputation as "Mr. Clutch" when it comes to catching touchdown passes for the Baldwin-Wallace College football team.
The junior tight end from Cardinal Mooney High and Poland is glad he has another season left to enhance that image as a dependable receiver.
Wilder led B-W in touchdown catches with six this past season, helping the Yellow Jackets to their best year under second-year coach John Snell.
B-W achieved its first 10-win season with a 10-2 record, including 8-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference for runner-up behind Mount Union, which failed in its bid to win a fourth straight NCAA Division III national championship.
One of 16 area players on the B-W roster, Wilder was recognized for his contributions by being named to the 2003 Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American team.
He was one of four B-W players named to the elite squad, making the third team along with senior running back Mark Anders (North Olmsted). Senior defensive end Nate Mitchell (Butler, Pa.) and senior safety Greg Koch (Olmsted Falls) made the first team.
B-W made playoffs
B-W also earned its first NCAA Division III playoff appearance since 1991, won its first playoff game since 1978 and wound up No. 9 in the final Division III national poll by d3football.com.
The Yellow Jackets extended their seasonal winning streak to 37 consecutive years. "The Streak," as it is called, is the second-longest in college football.
Wilder, who also was named to the All-OAC First Team, was B-W's third-leading receiver with 20 catches for 294 yards, which means 30 percent of his receptions were for TDs. And he was fourth in scoring with 36 points.
For his career in two years as a starter, he has caught 39 passes for 584 yards and seven TDs.
Dependable receiver
"I did the best in a third-down clutch situation, where I needed first-down yardage," said Wilder. "[The team] had confidence in me and what I can do."
Although conceding his 20 catches were good but not outstanding, he pointed out that, "They were 20 quality catches and that's just as important."
He said most of his receptions were on short passes.
"My longest was 48 yards, and I had two over 40 yards. For the most part, they were short passes, 10 to 20 yards, enough to get a first down."
And for the most part, he was sure-handed.
"I might have missed one pass that I should have caught," he noted.
Has team's confidence
He believes he was given key chances to catch TD passes because, "I was very involved in our offense, which gave me an opportunity to show what I can do. My coaches had confidence in my ability," he said.
Wilder also did a lot of blocking.
"I think I did well [blocking]. We ran the option a lot. I did a lot of blocking on the perimeter," he said.
He believes the reason Mount Union is so good is because, "They are so talented defensively and they don't make mistakes."
B-W lost to Mount Union in the regular season by 24-0.
He said the most important football lesson he learned while at Cardinal Mooney was the value of game preparation.
"It taught me how important practice is to do well in the game," said Wilder, who is majoring in business administration, and is the son of Joan and Todd Wilder.
kovach@vindy.com