OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team fell 31-28 to Tabor College in the final game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon at AdventHealth Field. The Braves finished the game with 371 yard of offense while Tabor had 350 yards.
James Gladden's three sacks ties him for fifth in the OU record book for single game sacks.
Tabor struck first, taking a 7-0 lead over the Braves with 17 seconds to go in the first quarter. William Green threw a five yard touchdown pass to Deonte Hill. Nathaniel Hellig's kick was good.
Ottawa tied the game 12 seconds into the second quarter.
Malaki Peko scored from 76 yards out.
Rhett Andersen's extra point kick split the uprights and the game was tied 7-7.
The OU defense forced a Tabor punt and the Braves took over on its own 18 yard line with 11:45 left in the half. Three plays into the drive, OU turned the ball over on an interception and the Bluejays returned it to the Brave six yard line.
One play later, Tabor retook the lead. Jordan Bolden scored from six yards out and the Bluejays had a 14-7 lead with 10:20 remaining in the second quarter.
After a series of punts, Ottawa took over on the Tabor 33 yard line with 1:22 on the clock. Six plays and 33 yards later,
Billy Maples ran the ball into the endzone. Andersen's extra point kick was good and the game was tied, 14-14 at the half.
On the opening second half kickoff, OU fumbled and Tabor took over on the OU 37 yard line. Tabor scored on its first play of the second half, a 37 yard touchdown pass from Green to Deonte Hill and after the Hellig extra point kick, the Bluejays led 21-14.
Tabor extended its lead over the Braves at the 3:39 mark in the third quarter. Jakob Feil scored from one yard out, giving the Bluejays the 28-14 lead.
Ottawa answered on its next offensive possession with a 13 play, 50 yard drive. Maples connected on a six yard touchdown pass to
Derrick Curtis. Andersen's extra point kick was true and Ottawa was within 28-21 of Tabor with 12:20 left in regulation.
On the Bluejays' next offensive possession, the Brave defense tied the game. On third and seven from the Brave 20 yard line.
Kyle Reynolds forced a fumble at the OU 11 yard line.
Christian Obregon recovered the fumble and returned it 89 yards for the touchdown. Andersen's extra point kick split the uprights and with 9:17 on the clock, the score was tied 28 all.
After both teams punted and Tabor took over on the Brave 45 yard line with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter. The Bluejays moved the ball to the OU 24 yard line. That is where Green was sacked by
Preston Greenwood and
James Gladden. Hellig come on to attempt a 47 yard field goal. It was good and the Bluejays led 31-28 with 2:37 left in regulation.
Ottawa's moved the ball down to the Tabor one yard line. The Braves crossed the goal line but were called for a hold on second down. The third down play was an incomplete pass and Andersen attempted a 27 yard field goal. The snap was bad and the Braves were not able to complete the attempt as Tabor took the 31-28 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves threw for 232 yards and rushed for 139. Tabor finished the game with 92 yards rushing and 258 though the air.
- Billy Maples was 23-for-43 through the air for 232 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for a touchdown as well.
- Malaki Peko ran for 94 yards on six carries. He rushed for a touchdown.
- Jayden Johnson had eight receptions for 98 yards.
- James Gladden finished the game with nine tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss.
- AJ Hemphill finished the game with seven tackles.
- Saamad Ali had seven tackles.
Who is Next
The Braves (6-5), because they won the KCAC Bissell Division, have qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series. The NAIA selection show is scheduled for Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and can be view by clicking on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/PlayNAIA.
