ATLANTA, Ga. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team are national champions once again. The Braves captured their second straight NAIA Invitational National Championship on Saturday afternoon with a 24-20 victory over Thomas University at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Ottawa fell behind early to the Night Hawks. Two plays to open the game and Thomas was in the end zone. Kiana Acol threw a touchdown pass to Brittney Delva. The extra point attempt by Acol was good and TU led 7-0 with 10:53 left in the first quarter.
OU quickly answered with a six play, 66 yard drive.
Madysen Carrera threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to
Jazlyn Camacho. The Braves were not able to convert the extra point and OU trailed 7-6.
The Brave defense forced a turnover on downs by Thomas and OU's offense took over on its own 23 yard line. Just one play into the second quarter, Carrera connected with
Alyssa Linkous on a 22 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and at the 11:49 mark in the second quarter, OU led 12-7.
The Ottawa defense was able to slow down the Night Hawks. They forced a punt and a turnover on downs in the final minutes of the second quarter and Ottawa took a 12-7 lead into the locker room.
The Braves opened the second half with the ball and continued to apply pressure to the Thomas defense. Ottawa marched the ball 66 yards down the field, scoring on a Carrera to
Mandolyn Scalisi touchdown and OU led 18-7 with 7:35 left in the third.
]
The Night Hawks cut into OU's lead on their next offensive possession. Acol ended the six play, 66 yard drive with a quarterback keeper and Ottawa's lead was cut to 18-13 with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter.
On OU's next offensive possession, TU's Brittney Delva stepped in front of the Carrera pass and returned the ball 22 yards for the touchdown. Janea Scott's extra point was good and Thomas retook the lead, 20-18 with 4:20 left in the third.
The Braves tried to answer, marching the ball down to the Thomas one yard line but on fourth and one, OU was not able to find the endzone. Thomas took over with 10:40 remaining in regulation. The Ottawa defense stepped up, forcing a Night Hawk punt and the Braves took over on its own 39 yard line.
Ottawa took advantage of the excellent field position, retaking the lead on a Carrera touchdown pass to
Bailey Hodgins and with 3:55 on the clock, Ottawa had a 24-20 lead.
The OU defense came away with its second straight stop. Thomas drove to ball to the OU 34 yard line. That is were the drive stalled and the Braves took over on downs with two minutes on the clock.
The Braves were not able to move the ball and were forced to punt. Thomas took over on its own 21 yard line. The Night Hawks moved the ball to the OU 34 yard line. On third and 14, the OU defense came away with a takeaway.
Abby Brown stepped in front of the TU pass, ending the Night Hawk drive and giving the Braves the 24-20 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the game with 300 yards of offense, 44 yards rushing and 256 yards passing. Thomas had 299 yards of offense, 11 yards rushing and 288 yards passing.
- Madysen Carrera led OU with 23 yards on five carries. Addison Orsborn was right behind her with 21 yards rushing on five carries.
- Carrera went 23-for-34 through the air for 256 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
- Alyssa Linkous led OU with eight receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. Orsborn finished the game with seven receptions for 55 yards. Bailey Hodgins and Jazlyn Camacho each had a touchdown down reception.
- Faron Malouff led OU with eight tackles.
- Alyssa Gillespie had seven tackles and one pass break up.
- Hailee McKay finished the game with six tackles.
- Madyson Carrera, Alyssa Linkous, Hailee McKay, and Addison Orsborn were named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Orsborn was named MVP of the championship game.
Ottawa finishes the season with an overall record of 16-2, a NAIA Invitational National Championship, a KCAC Invitational Championship, and a KCAC regular season Championship.
