OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team won its third straight game, taking a 55-17 victory over Sterling College with a dominating second half on Saturday afternoon at AdventHealth Field.
Sterling's opening drive of the game ended in a 14 yard punt and the Braves took over on the SC 34 yard line. Two plays later,
Billy Maples scored from 28 yard out. The
Rhett Andersen extra point kick was good and the Braves led 7-0.
OU forced another Sterling punt the Braves took over on its own 46 yard line. Four plays and 54 yards later, Maples threw a 21 yard touchdown pass to
Jayden Johnson. Andersen's extra point kick split the uprights, giving OU a 14-0 lead with 10:40 left in the first half.
The Braves were forced to punt on its next two offensive possessions and Sterling took advantage. The Warriors scored the next 14 points, tying the game at 14 all with 12:43 to go in the second quarter.
Ottawa broke the 14-14 tie at the 2:03 mark in the second quarter. The OU defense forced a turnover on towns the Braves took over on its own 43 yard line. Ottawa put together a six play, 57 yard drive that ended with a 38 yard touchdown pass from Maples to Johnson. Andersen's extra point kick was good and the Braves took a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
OU controlled the second half, holding the Warriors to three points and outscoring SC 34-3. A Maples touchdown run gave OU a 28-14 lead with 12:05 to go in the third quarter. Two field goals by Andersen, 42 yards and 26 yards, increased the Brave lead to 34-14.
Ottawa scored three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. OU's first touchdown in the fourth was on a blocked punt.
Kevin Wade blocked the Mason Cobb punt attempt.
Jaden Thatcher picked the ball up on the SC 20 yard line, returning it for a touchdown and Ottawa had a 41-14 lead.
Malik Pattersson scored Ottawa's second touchdown of the fourth quarter from three yards out, giving OU a 48-14 lead. The Braves last touchdown of the game came with 7:08 to go in the contest.
Trevor Smith caught a 13 yard touchdown pass from
Dakota Lynde, giving the Braves a 55-14 lead. Sterling scored its only points of the second half with 1:49 left in the contest. Luis Franco kicked a 28 yard field goal and the Braves took the 55-17 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa finished the game with a total of 432 yards of offense, 155 yards through the air and 277 yards rushing. Sterling had 191 yards of offense, 70 yards passing and 121 yards rushing.
- Billy Maples went 16-for-25 through the air for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
- Wynton Ruth rushed for over 100 yards for the third straight game. He finished with 102 yards rushing on 10 attempts, averaging 10.2 yards per carry.
- Jayden Johnson led the Braves with six receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
- James Gladden had 13 tackles and two sacks.
- AJ Hemphill finished the game with 11 tackles.
- Tony Davis had three pass break ups.
Who is Next
Ottawa (4-4, 2-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Kansas City, Mo. against Avila University. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at The Z.