SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg football coach Joe Fincham is looking forward to a regular Saturday at the office. He hasn’t had one yet this season.

“After having the doubleheader against Capital, getting home late against Ohio Wesleyan, getting home late again after Washington U., I’d like to play well on a Saturday and to be able to spend a Saturday evening with my family and actually see them,” Fincham said. “I looked at my boy, Mac, the other day, and he hadn’t had a hair cut in so long, I thought he was one of the Beatles.”

The No. 19 Tigers (3-0) host Allegheny (2-1) at 1 p.m. today at Edwards-Maurer Field.

Home has been kind to Wittenberg in recent years. The Tigers have won 15 straight home games since losing 13-10 to Wabash on Oct. 18, 2008. Wittenberg has won all of those games by at least 17 points, and the average margin of victory has been 33.

Today’s game will test that trend. The Gators opened with a disappointing 28-7 loss at home to Bethany, but rebounded with two strong victories: 33-13 at Carnegie-Mellon and 17-10 at home against DePauw.

Allegheny lost 52-10 in Springfield in 2009, but Wittenberg had to rally in the fourth quarter to beat the Gators 24-21 last season on the road.

“They’re big and physical and tough,” Fincham said. “They just punch you in the nose for 60 minutes. We were very fortunate to win up there last year. If it wasn’t for a couple of big plays, we get our butts beat. I’m sure they’ll be talking about that all week, how they could have, should have.”

Wittenberg has survived numerous close games the last two seasons. During its current 23-game regular-season winning streak, it has won six games by six points or less. All those games were on the road, including last Saturday’s 20-17 victory at Washington University.

“The best part of Saturday is we went over there, got ourselves in a tight ballgame and made plays and won the game,” Fincham said. “While some people may go, ‘Well, you should have won by 21.’ Well, I don’t know. Let’s wait and see what kind of team Washington U. is. They may be an 8-2 football team.”

KICKOFF TIPS

Who: Allegheny College (2-1, 0-0 North Coast Athletic Conference) at No. 19 Wittenberg University (3-0, 1-0 NCAC)

When: 1 p.m. today

Where: Edwards-Maurer Field in Springfield

Radio: WUSO-FM (89.1) and WIZE-AM (1340)

Webcast: www4.wittenberg.edu/news/athletics/sportsnetwork

Series history: Wittenberg leads 13-9.

Last meeting: Wittenberg won 24-21 in 2010.

Last week: Wittenberg beat Washington 20-17, and Allegheny beat DePauw 17-10.

Coaches: Joe Fincham, Wittenberg (16th season, 139-31); Mark Matlak, Allegheny (10th season, 53-41).

Wittenberg notes: The Tigers have won six straight games against Allegheny at home. Their last loss to the Gators in Springfield came in 1996. Allegheny won six of the first eight games against Wittenberg in NCAC play, and Wittenberg has won 11 of 14 since. ... Michael Cooper and Josh McKee rank first and second in the NCAC in receiving yards per game with 126 and 103, respectively, and they are tied for the lead in scoring with four touchdowns each.

Allegheny notes: First-year starting quarterback Jordan Fowler is averaging 142.3 yards per game. He has thrown four TDs and three interceptions. His favorite target is Sean Griffin, who has 11 catches for 229 yards and three TDs. Taylor O’Brien leads the team with 51 rushes for 153 yards. ... The Gators rank last in the NCAC in total offense (263.7). ... Defensive back Colin Hartford, who returned an interception for a touchdown against DePauw, was named NCAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.