The Braves won their fifth straight game, defeating Kansas Wesleyan University in overtime, 27-24, last Saturday at AdventHealth Field. The win gives OU a 4-0 record in the KCAC Bissell Division. Ottawa had 307 yards of offense, 158 yards through the air and 149 yards on the ground. Kansas Wesleyan finished 170 yards through the air and 204 yards rushing for 374 yards of offense.
Wynton Ruth finished the game against Kansas Wesleyan with 96 yards, giving him 1,078 yards rushing this season. He is OU's first 1,000 yard rusher since Tanner Staats rushed for 1,276 yards in 2015. Ruth's 1,078 yards ranks him 10th all-time in the OU record book in single season rushing.
OU sophomore running back/kick returner,
Malik Patterson, has been named KCAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort in Ottawa's 27-24 overtime victory over Kansas Wesleyan. He had an 86 yard kick off return for a touchdown that tied the game with 7:21 to go in the fourth quarter.
Through 10 games this season, Ottawa is averaging 365.5 yards of offense. The Braves are averaging 226.6 yards on the ground and 137.9 passing yards per game. OU is scoring 30 points per game. Opponents are averaging 357.6 yards of offense, 208.5 yards rushing and 149.1 yards through the air. They are scoring 26.9 points per game. During OU's five game winning streak, Ottawa is outscoring opponents 38-17. The Braves have rushed for 1,457 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, and averaging 291.4 rushing yards per game. Overall, the OU offense is averaging 433 yards per game to the opponents' 297 yards.
Billy Maples is 111-for-217 through the air for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 238 yards and four touchdowns.
Wynton Ruth is OU's leader in rushing with 1,078 yards, averaging 107.8 yards rushing per game. He has scored 11 touchdowns and is averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Jayden Johnson leads OU in receiving with 35 receptions for 497 yards. He has four receiving touchdowns and is averaging 49.7 receiving yards per game.
AJ Hemphill is OU's leader in tackles with 117. He has two sacks, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
James Gladden has 77 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Kyle Reynolds is third on the team in tackles with 74. He has four interceptions, two pass break ups, and two forced fumbles.
Saturday is the 45th game between Ottawa University and Tabor College. Ottawa leads the series, 31-13 but Tabor is 3-2 against the Braves in the last five meetings. Tabor won the game last season on Oct. 1, 2022 in Hillsboro, 24-19. The Braves have a home record of 17-8 against the Bluejays. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Nov. 1, 1969 in Ottawa. OU won the game, 36-7.
The Braves are ranked 31st in the NAIA in scoring (300), 37th in points per game (30.0), 34th in total offense (3645), 44th in yards per game (364.5), fourth in rushing yards (2,266), seventh in rushing attempts (418), seventh in rushing yards per game (226.6), 10th in yards per rush (5.4), eighth in rushing touchdown (24), 31st in first downs (202), eighth in rushing first downs (122), eighth in kick returns (No.-Yards) (35-841), sixth in kick return average (24), 28th in average per punt (37.9), 43rd in red zone% (.760), and fifth in tackles (740).
Tabor College is 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the KCAC Bissell Division. The Bluejays are on a three game losing streak and are 1-4 in road games this season.
After winning two straight with victories over Bethel (31-21) on Sept. 30 and Sterling (24-10) on Oct. 14, the Bluejays have lost three straight. Those losses were to Avila (35-17) on Oct. 21, Kansas Wesleyan (31-0) on Oct. 28, and the University of Saint Mary (40-31) on Nov. 4.
Through 10 games this season, Tabor is averaging 236.4 yards of offense per game. The Bluejays are averaging 110.4 yards rushing and 126 yards passing. TC is scoring 16.7 points per game. Opponents are averaging 417.7 yards of offense per game, 180.1 rushing and 237.6 passing. They are scoring 28.6 points per game.
Tabor is ranked 47th in the NAIA in rushing attempts (332), 29th in first downs by penalty (19), 43rd in kick returns (No.-Yards (41-604), 19th in punt return average (11.7), 26th in field goals (9-11), 18th in field goal percentage (.818), first in PAT percentage (1.00), third in punts (No.-Yards) (70-2670), 25th in average per punt (38.1), third in red zone percentage (.900), 33rd in fumbles-lost (14-7), 26th in fumbles recovered (8), 18th in defensive INTs (13), 14th in interception returns (No.-Yards) (13-235), 14th in defensive touchdowns (3), 20th in tackles (668), 26th in penalties (52), and 33rd in penalty yards (518).
William Green and Tyson Dozhier have both seen time at quarterback for the Bluejays. Green is 78-for-195 through the air for 958 yards and nine touchdowns. Both Green and Dozhier have throw three interceptions apiece. Jordan Bolden leads the team in rushing with 747 yards on 156 carries. He is averaging 74.7 yards rushing per game and has scored three touchdowns. Devin Jones leads the Bluejays in receptions with 28 for 263 yards and five touchdowns. Brooks Gardner is Tabor's leader in tackles with 76. Cole Hernandez has 74 tackles and one forced fumble. Christian Tuiasosopo is third on the team in tackles with 50. He has two interceptions and three pass break ups.
