LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team ended the 2022 season with a win, defeating Bethany College 45-2 at Lindstrom Football Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Brave defense recorded its first take away on the Swedes' first offensive possession of the game. On third and 12 from the BC 31 yard line, Kyle Reynolds intercepted the pass and returned it 45 yards to the Bethany two. One play later, Jared Daniels found the end zone. Lewis McMullen's extra point kick was good and with 13:20 left in the first quarter, OU led 7-0.

On the Swedes next offensive possession, the OU defense earned its second take away. On a second and eight from the Bethany 26 yard line, Payton Green forced a fumble. He recovered it and the OU offense took over.

Ottawa's offense again took advantage of the short field. Daniels ran the ball on all five plays and scored from seven yards out. The McMullen extra point kick was good and with 9:52 to go in the first quarter, the Braves lead 14-0.

The OU defense earned its third straight take away on Bethany's next offensive possession. Bethany had moved the ball to the OU 42 yard line. Bethany attempted a deep pass but Devin Johnston intercepted the ball and Ottawa took over on its own eight yard line.

The Braves moved the ball to the Bethany 26 yard line. That is where OU turned the ball over on an interception. The Swede defensive back looked like he had a sure pick six. But OU's Gunnar Madere sprinted 78 yards and tackled the Swede at the OU two yard line.

The Brave defense came up big, holding Bethany to a turnover on downs. On fourth and goal from the two, Yan Keuwo tackled the Bethany ball carrier for no gain and the offense took over. Bethany was able to get on the score board with a safety, cutting OU's lead to 14-2 with 13:48 left in the half.

After the free kick, Ottawa's defense earned its fourth take away of the game. Bethany fumbled the ball on its own 49 yard line. Reynolds recovered the fumble and OU took over with 13:40 on the clock. Ottawa was able to cross the goal line, putting together an eight play scoring drive that ended in a 29 yard field goal from McMullen and Ottawa led 17-2 with 9:57 on the clock.

The next three offensive possessions ended in punt, two by Bethany and one by Ottawa. After the second punt by the Swedes, Ottawa took over on the Bethany 42 yard line with 3:13 left in the second quarter. The Braves scored again, this time with a 10 yard touchdown run by James Reeder. McMullen's extra point kick was good and OU led 24-2 with 2:09 left in the first half.

The OU offense did not have to wait long to get the ball back. Ottawa's defense came away with its fifth take away of the game. Johnston forced a Swede fumble and Christian Coggs recovered the ball at the Bethany 29 yard line. OU moved the ball to the Swede 19 yard line, where the drive stalled. Ottawa attempted a 36 yard McMullen field goal but the kick went wide left with 16 seconds on the clock.

Bethany kneeled on the ball, sending the game into the half with OU leading 24-2.

The Braves received the ball to open the second half but turned the ball over on an interception and Bethany took over on its own 42 yard line. The Swedes moved the ball to the OU 26 and had it fourth and eight. The OU defense came away with the stop and OU took over on its own 26 yard line with 8:44 left in the third quarter.

Ottawa's offense put together a nine play, 74 yard drive that took 5:18. Billy Maples threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Gage Keaton and after the McMullen PAT kick, Ottawa led 31-2.

After a turnover on downs by the Swedes and a punt by the Braves, Bethany took over on its own 49 yard line with 11:40 remaining in the game. Two plays later, the OU defense had another take away. Raymond Cutler forced a fumble. He also recovered the ball and Ottawa took over on its own 45 yard line.

Ottawa was not able to put together a scoring drive and Bethany took over, after the Adam Gilbert punt, on its own 23 yard line. The Brave defense earned another take away. Johnston picked the Swede quarterback and Ottawa's offense took over on its own 30 yard line.

Seven plays and 70 yards later, Daniels found the end zone on a 32 yard run. McMullen's extra point kick split the uprights and the Braves had a 38-2 lead with 3:26 left in the game. The Brave defense forced a Swede punt and took over on its own 36 yard line with 2:11 on the clock.

The Braves scored once more, this one on a 61 yard run by Daniels. McMullen's kick was true and Ottawa took the lead and the game 45-2.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa finished the game with 437 yards of offense, 124 yards passing and 313 yards rushing. Bethany had 69 yards passing and 80 yards rushing for a total of 149 yards of offense.
• The OU defense forced seven turnovers, four fumbles and three interceptions.
• Noah Shoeman went 9-for-18 through the air for 86 yards.
• Billy Maples threw for 38 yards (3-for-5) and one touchdown.
• Jared Daniels rushed for 238 yards on 26 attempts and scored four touchdowns. He averaged 9.2 yards per carry.
• James Reeder led OU with three receptions for 31 yards.
• AJ Hemphill had nine tackles to lead the Braves. He had three tackles for loss.
• Kyle Reynolds, Jensen Riffel, Devin Johnston, and James Gladden had four tackles apiece.
• Reynolds had one tackle for loss, one recovered fumble, and one interception.
• Riffel finished the game with one sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one pass break up.
• Johnston had one forced fumble, two interceptions, and one pass break up.
• Gladden tallied two tackles for loss and a half a sack.

Who is Next
Ottawa finishes the season with a record of 2-8.