SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Ottawa University football team fell 35-7 to no. 14 Dordt University in the NAIA Football Championship Series Opening Round. The Braves moved the ball well between the twenties throughout the game but struggled to cross the goal line.
Ottawa took the lead on its second offensive possession of the game in the first quarter. On the second play of the scoring drive,
Wynton Ruth ran the ball 73 yards for the touchdown.
Rhett Andersen's extra point kick was good and OU had a 7-0 lead with 9:03 left in the first quarter.
The OU defense forced three straight punts by the Dordt Defenders to start the game. DU, however, was able to tie the game on its fourth offensive possession of the contest. The Defenders put together a six play, 48 yard scoring drive that ended on a 13 yard Brendan Pieiper touchdown run. Stephen Leinen's extra point kick was good and the game was tied 7-7 at the 1:04 mark in the first quarter.
On Ottawa's next trip down the field, the drive stalled at the Dordt 31 yard line and OU turned the ball over on downs. Six plays later, Dordt took its first lead of the game, 14-7.
OU again moved the ball into Dordt territory, but the Braves were forced to punt on its fourth offensive possession of the game and DU took over on its own 14 yard line with eight minutes to go in the half.
Dordt was able to put together another scoring drive, this one 14 plays and 86 yards, to increase its lead to 21-7 with 1:19 left in the first half.
Ottawa again moved the ball into Defender territory and was at the DU 19 yard and with 22 seconds on the clock. OU attempted a 36 yard field goal. Andersen's attempt went wide left and Dordt took a 21-7 lead into the locker room.
The Braves received the ball to start the second half, driving the ball to the to the Defender 32 yard line. On fourth and eight, the Braves went for it. Ottawa, using 6:54 of the third quarter, was not able to convert its fourth down attempt and turned the ball over on downs.
Dordt was able to extend its lead over the Braves on its next offensive possession. The Defenders put together a 10 play, 68 yard drive and led 28-7 with 2:28 remaining in the third quarter.
On OU's second offensive possession of the second half, the Braves moved the ball to the DU 13 yard line. Ottawa went for it on fourth and five but the pass attempt was not good and OU turned the ball over on downs with 11:12 left in the contest.
The Defenders scored on its next offensive possession, taking a 35-7 lead over the Braves at the 8:12 mark of the fourth quarter. Ottawa started its final drive of the game on its own 21 yard line. The Braves, for the first time in the second half, were not able to cross mid field and had to punt the ball. Dordt ran out the clock, taking the 35-7 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- The Braves had 389 yards of offense, 170 through the air and 219 on the ground. Dordt finished the game with 74 yard passing and 350 yard rushing for a total of 424 yards of offense.
- Billy Maples went 13-for-29 through the air for 170 yards. He also rushed for 69 yards.
- Wynton Ruth rushed 16 times for 130 yards and one touchdown.
- Jayden Johnson led the Braves with four receptions.
- Kayden Kerr Had 60 receiving yards.
- AJ Hemphill led the Braves with 11 tackles.
- Saamad Ali finished the game with eight tackles.
- Tony Davis had six tackles.
The Braves finished the season with an overall record of 6-6, a KCAC Bissell Division Championship, and its first NAIA Football Championship Series appearance since 2014.
