ATLANTA, Ga. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team will play in its second straight NAIA Invitational National Championship on Saturday after defeating Keiser University 26-21 on Saturday afternoon. The Braves won its second straight game over the Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the semifinals.
Both teams punted on their first offensive possessions and OU took over for the second time on its own 30 yard line. Five plays later
Madysen Carrera lateraled the ball to
Addison Orsborn, who ran the ball in for the touchdown and Ottawa led 6-0 with 3:46 left in the first quarter.
The OU defense forced its second straight Seahawk punt and the Braves had the ball on its own 33 yard line. The Braves ran almost five minutes off the clock with its seven play, 47 yard drive. Carrera capped off the drive with a three yard touchdown run. Her extra point attempt was good, giving the Braves a 13-0 lead with 8:33 to go in the half.
Keiser cut into the Brave lead on its next offensive possession. Jazmin Rhoden threw a three yard touchdown pass to Kennedy Foster and after the Allyson Goolsby extra point, Ottawa took a 13-7 lead into the locker room.
It did not take the Seahawks long at the start of the third to take their first lead of the game. Two plays into the third quarter, Keiser took a 14-13 lead over the Braves on a Rhoden touchdown pass to Adrianna Cavalotti.
The Braves answered that score with one of their own, retaking the lead with 5:46 left in the third quarter. Ottawa's nine play, 66 yard drive ended with a 14 yard touchdown pass to
Alyssa Linkous. The extra point attempt was no good and the Braves had a 19-14 lead.
OU's defense came away with another defensive stop in the game, forcing a third Seahawk punt and the Brave offense put another one in the endzone. Carrera and
Jazlyn Camacho connected on a 29 yard touchdown.
Clara Beaudoin's extra point attempt was good and with 11:13 left in the game, OU led 26-14.
Keiser was able to put together a long drive, moving the ball down to the OU five yard line. On fourth and five,
Abby Brown came away with the defensive stop, stopping the Seahawk runner two yards short of the first down and giving OU the ball with 4:53 to go in the game.
The Braves, however, were not able to run out the clock and turned the ball over. Keiser was able to take advantage of the turnover and cut into the Brave lead with a touchdown. Rhoden threw her third touchdown pass, this one to Chloe Griffin, to cut OU's lead to 26-21 with 1:21 left in regulation.
Ottawa controlled the clock and the ball in the final 1:21. Keiser had used its three timeouts on OU's last offensive possession and could not stop the clock. The Braves kept time moving, taking the 26-21 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa had a 25:03 to 22:57 advantage in time of possession.
- The Braves rushed for 92 yards and threw for 209. Keiser had 260 yards through the air and 12 yards rushing.
- Madysen Carrera rushed for 57 yards and one touchdown. Addison Orsborn rushed for 35 yards and one touchdown.
- Carrera went 22-for-30 through the air for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
- Orsborn led OU with six receptions for 38 yards.
- Alyssa Linkous and Jazlyn Camacho had one touchdown apiece.
- Camacho led OU with 54 yards and Linkous finished with 53. Bailey Hodgins had four receptions for 38 yards.
- Abby Brown led OU with 11 tackles. She also had one pass break up.
- Randrea Gamble and Nina GraveDePeralta had three tackles apiece. GraveDePeralta had one pass break up.
Who is Next
Ottawa (15-2) will now play Thomas University (Ga.) in the NAIA Invitational National Championship Game on Saturday, May 14. Game time is set for 11:30 a.m. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. Thomas won the game on March 16, 19-7.
