Box Score OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team fell 28-13 to Sterling College at AdventHealth Field on Saturday afternoon in the final home game of the regular season. The Braves outgained the Warriors, 372 to 246 and had the lead in time of possession 33:16 to 26:44.

Ottawa struck first, scoring on its first offensive possession of the game. Lewis McMullen connected on a 36 yard field goal, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead with 10:41 left in the first quarter. The OU defense forced a Sterling punt on all three offensive possession in the first quarter and Ottawa had a 3-0 lead at the start of the second.

The Warriors put together their first extended drive of the game to take their first lead of the contest.  Rocklin Baptist threw a 10 yard touchdown to David Timmons. The extra point kick was good and Sterling led 7-3 with 12:10 remaining in the first half.

OU was forced to punt on its first offensive possession of the second quarter but the defense got the ball back for the Braves. Saamad Ali stripped the ball from the Warrior receiver at the OU four yard line. He returned it 64 yards to the Sterling 32.

The offense took advantage of the good field position. Austin Zavala threw a five yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Ziegler. McMullen's PAT kick split the uprights and OU retook the lead, 10-7.
The Brave defense earned another take away on Sterling's next offensive possession. Kevin Wade intercepted the Baptist pass and OU took over the SC 44 yard line. Ottawa moved the ball to the Sterling 23 yard line. That is where the drive stalled and OU turned the ball over on downs with 34 seconds on the clock. Sterling ran out the clock and OU took a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

The Braves had the ball twice in the third quarter, running off 5:44 on its first drive and 4:11 on its second. The Braves were not able to find the endzone and Ottawa's lead was still 10-7 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Sterling's scoring picked up in the fourth, scoring 14 straight points to take a 21-10 lead over the Braves. Ottawa cut into the Warrior lead with a 27 yard field goal by McMullen, 21-13, with 9:29 on the clock. The Warriors answered that OU field goal with a touchdown, taking a 28-13 lead over the Braves with 7:46 left in the game.

The Braves were not able to rally in the final seven minutes of the contest, falling to Sterling 28-13.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa threw for 268 yards and rushed for 104, finishing with 372 yards of offense. Sterling had 83 yards through the air and 163 yards rushing to finish with 246 yards of offense.
• Austin Zavala went 26-for-50 through the air for 268 yards and one touchdown. He also had an interception.
• Jared Daniels led OU in rushing with 36 yards.
• Jermaine Ziegler finished the game with nine receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown.
• AJ Hemphill led the Braves with 15 tackles.
• James Gladden finished with seven tackles, one sack and four tackles for loss.
• Kevin Wade had six tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass break up.

Who is Next
Ottawa (1-8, 1-8) will finish its 2022 season on the road on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Lindsborg, Kan. against Bethany College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.