The Braves were defeated 33-23 two weeks ago at AdventHealth Field by the University of Saint Mary Spires. Ottawa had 463 yards of offense while USM finished with 302. OU forced five turnovers, four fumbles and one interception.
OU's 375 yards through the air are the most by the Braves since the team threw for 308 yards in a 44-14 win over Sterling College during the 2020 season.
James Reeder was OU's first 100 yard receiver since Oct. 23, 2021 when
Dylan Foos had 167 receiving yards against Friends University.
Billy Maples' 375 yards through the air against USM are the most by an OU quarterback since Connor Kaegi threw for 432 yards on Sept. 7, 2019 in the win over Southwestern College.
Through six games, the OU offense is averaging 310.7 yards per game, 116.3 rushing and 194.3 passing. The offense is scoring 16 points per game. Opponents are averaging 373 yards per game, 218 rushing and 154.4 passing. They are scoring 33.7 points per game.
OU is ranked 31st in the NAIA in penalty first downs (13), 44th in first downs per game (19.2), 16th in fourth down conversions (10-25), 43rd in punt returns (No.-Yards) (5-76), 12th in punt return average (15.2), 49th in field goal percentage (.625), 20th in fumbles recovered (7), ninth in defensive touchdowns (2) 35th in penalties (39), and 29th in penalty yards (348).
Jared Daniels leads the Braves in rushing with 346 yards. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Billy Maples is the team's leader in yards through the air with 750. He is completing 52 percent of his passes and is averaging 125 yards passing per game.
Jermaine Ziegler leads OU in receptions with 20. He is averaging 7.8 yards per reception and 26 receiving yards per game.
AJ Hemphill leads the team in tackles with 65. He has three pass break ups, two recovered fumbles, and one forced fumble.
Santino Gee is OU's leader in sacks with two.
Saturday is the 69th meeting between Ottawa University and Friends University. The Braves lead the series 38-29-1 and OU is on a two game winning streak against the Falcons. Ottawa is 4-1 in its previous five meetings. The Braves are 16-13 against Friends in Wichita and are on a six game road winning streak against the Falcons. The last time Ottawa lost in Wichita was on Sept. 8, 2008. OU fell to then no. 9 Friends 46-45.
Friends University is 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the KCAC. The Falcons enter Saturday's game coming off a 42-7 win over Sterling in Wichita on Oct. 15.
In the win over the Warriors last week, the Falcons had 440 yard of offense and held Sterling to 178 yards . Friends had 131 yards through the air and 309 yards on the ground. Jack Mullen went 5-for-9 through the air for 122 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and had one interception. Waylon Chance led the Falcons in rushing with 74 yards. Kevin Green had two receptions and one touchdown. Asher Brewer had one reception for a touchdown. Jacoby Smith led Friends in tackles with six. Sy Aponte and Payton Douglas finished with five apiece.
Through seven games this season Friends is averaging 325.3 yards per game, 275.6 rushing and 49.7 passing. The Falcons are scoring 23.6 points per game. Opponents are averaging 348.1 yards of offense per game, 197.7 rushing and 150.4 passing. They are scoring 29.3 points per game.
Friends is ranked 49th in the NAIA in total points (165), 47th in total offensive yards (2,277), third in passing yards per completion (16.6), first in rushing yards (1,929), second in rushing attempts (374), first in rushing yards per game (275.6), sixth in yards per rush (5.2), ninth in rushing touchdowns (16), third in rushing first downs (89), eighth in field goal percentage (.875), first in PAT percentage (1.00), 34th in average per punt (37.5), ninth in red zone percentage (.890), 10th in red zone touchdown percentage (.740), 14th in fumbles-lost (13-7), 31st in defensive INTs (9), 46th in interception returns (No.-Yards) (9-91), 51st in penalty yards (428), second in time of possession per game and (37:08).
Jack Mullen is 17-for-41 through the air for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He is completing 41.5 percent of his passes and has throwing five interceptions. Zach Dressler is Friends' leader in rushing with 724 yards. He is averaging 103.4 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry. He has scored six rushing touchdowns. Kevin Green leads the team in receptions with nine for 138 yards. He has two receiving touchdowns and is averaging 23 receiving yards per game. Nolan Ewing leads the Falcons in tackles with 38. He is averaging 6.3 tackles per game, has five tackles for loss, four interceptions, and one pass break up. Sy Aponte is second on the team in tackles with 33. He is averaging 4.7 tackles per game and has one pass break up.
