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Ottawa University

FBvsMcPherson_2023
28
Winner Ottawa OTTAWA 3-4 , 1
17
Saint Mary SAINT MA 2-5 , 0
Winner
Ottawa OTTAWA
3-4 , 1
28
Final
17
Saint Mary SAINT MA
2-5 , 0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
OTTAWA Ottawa 7 7 7 7 28
SAINT MA Saint Mary 10 0 7 0 17

Game Recap: Football |

Football Wins Second Straight, Downs Saint Mary 28-17

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team won its second straight game with a 28-17 victory over the University of Saint Mary on Saturday afternoon at Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium. It was the first time that the Braves had over 500 yards of offense since Oct. 17, 2015 when OU had 573 yards of offense against Saint Mary.

The Braves scored, for the third time this season, on their opening drive of the game to take the early lead. Wynton Rush gave the Braves the lead on a 43 yard touchdown run. Rhett Andersen's extra point kick was good and OU had a 7-0 lead with 12:40 to go in the first quarter.

Saint Mary answered on its first offensive possession of the game. The Spires put together an 11 play, 70 yard drive that ended on a Jartavious Mart two yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was good and the game was tied 7-7 at the eight minute mark in the first quarter.

Ottawa was forced to punt on its next offensive possession and Saint Mary took its first lead of the game on its second possession of the game. The Spires drove the ball down to the Ottawa seven yard line. The Brave defense held on third and six and Josh Bingham came on to attempt a 25 yard field goal. The kick was good and USM had the lead, 10-7 with 2:43 remaining in the first quarter.

After an exchange of punts, the Braves retook the lead with 10:42 left in the first half. Billy Maples threw a 29 yard touchdown pass to De'Anthony Curtis. The Andersen extra point kick split the uprights and the Braves led 14-10.

The OU defense forced a Spire punt at the 8:05 mark and the Braves took over on its own 41 yard line. Ottawa drove the ball to the USM two yard line. On second and goal, OU turned the ball over on an interception and USM took over with 1:57 remaining in the half.

Ottawa's defense held USM scoreless in the final two minutes of the half and the Braves took a 14-10 lead into the locker room.

The Brave defense forced a Spire punt to open the second half and OU took over on its own 20 yard line. Two plays later, the Spires had a pick six. The extra point kick was good and USM led 17-14 with 12:09 remaining in the third quarter.

Both teams turned the ball over on downs on their next offensive possessions and Ottawa had the ball for the third time in the second half on its own five yard line. On Malaki Peko's third rush attempt of the drive, he scored from 87 yards out. Andersen's extra point kick was good and the Braves had a 21-17 lead with 4:51 on the clock in the third quarter.

After three straight punts, two by USM and one by Ottawa, OU took over on its own 33 yard line with 12:24 left in the game. On third and 26 from the USM 44 yard line, Maples found an open De'Anthony Curtis for a 44 yard touchdown. After the Andersen extra point, Ottawa led 28-17 with 9:47 left in the fourth quarter.

On the Spires next offensive possession, Ottawa's defense forced a turnover. OU defensive back, Kevin Wade intercepted the Spire pass, and the Braves took over on its own 41 yard line.

The Braves moved the ball to the USM 15 yard line where the drive stalled. Andersen attempted a 31 yard field goal but the kick went wide right and the Spires took over on their own 20 yard line with 2:48 to go in the game.

Ottawa's defense held the Spires to a turnover on downs and the Braves took over with 1:18 left in the game. OU ran out the clock, taking the 28-17 victory.

Inside the Box Score
  • Ottawa finished the game with 162 yards passing and 363 yards on the ground for 525 yards of offense. Saint Mary had 318 yards of offense, 138 yards passing and 180 yards rushing.
  • Billy Maples went 11-for-21 through the air for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Wynton Ruth rushed for 162 yards on 22 attempts and scored one touchdown. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry.
  • Malaki Peko finished the game with 134 yards rushing on 13 attempts, averaging 10.3 yards per carry. He had one rushing touchdown.
  • De'Anthony Curtis led the Braves with six receptions for 101 yards. He scored two touchdowns.
  • AJ Hemphill led the Braves with 10 tackles.
  • Saamad Ali finished the game with eight tackles.
  • Kyle Reynolds had seven tackles and a pass break up.
Who is Next
Ottawa (3-4, 1-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Oct. 21 against Sterling College at AdventHealth Field. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday is the 92nd Homecoming game for the Braves.
 
 
 
 
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