SALINA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team opened the 2023 season with a 33-6 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon at Gene Bissell
Field at the Graves Family Sports Complex. The OU defense held the Coyotes to 196 yards of total offense in the win. The Braves finished with a total of 316 yards of offense, 259 yards passing and 57 yards rushing.
Ottawa struck first, taking the lead on its first offensive possession of the season. The Braves put together a nine play, 66 yard drive that ended in a
Madysen Carrera one yard touchdown pass to
Mandolyn Scalisi. Carrera converted the extra point and OU had a 7-0 lead.
The OU defense came away with the take away on KWU's first drive of the game. On 2
nd and 19 from the KWU 21 yard line,
Hailee McKay intercepted the pass and the Braves took over.
The Braves were not able to move the ball and was forced to punt. The Coyotes drove the ball to the Ottawa five yard line and had it first and goal. The OU defense held, forcing four straight incomplete passes by the Coyotes and the Braves took over on downs.
The Ottawa offense road that momentum, putting together an eight play, 75 yard scoring drive. On second and goal from the KWU five yard line, Carrera found
Jazlyn Camacho for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and the Braves led 14-0.
The OU defense forced a second Coyote punt and
Mya Quinn fair caught the ball at the OU 19 yard line. Six plays and 61 yards later, Ottawa was back in the end zone. Carrera completed a 31 yard touchdown pass to
Bailey Hodgins and OU led 20-0 with 2:28 to go in the second quarter.
The Brave defense continued to put pressure on the Coyote offense and forced punt no. 3. Ottawa ran out the first half clock, taking the 20-0 lead into the locker room.
Kansas Wesleyan received the ball to start the second half. Fifth play into the drive
Abby Brown intercepted the KWU quarterback and returned it 28 yards to the KWU 11 yard line. The OU offense was not able to cash in on the turnover, turning the ball over on downs at the KWU seven yard line.
Ottawa's defense continued to come up with stops and forced a turnover on downs. OU was forced, on its next offensive possession, to punt and KWU took over on its own 10 yard line. The Coyotes ended this drive with a touchdown. The two point conversion was no good and with 10:37 to go in the fourth, OU led 20-6.
The Braves answered the Coyotes score with one of their own on their next offensive possession. Ottawa put together an 11 play, 66 yards drive that took 4:39 off the clock. Carrera threw her fourth touchdown of the day, this one a seven yarder to
Tatiana Dos Santos. The extra point attempt was good and the Braves led 27-6.
The OU defense did not allow KWU to cut into the Ottawa lead, coming away with another turnover. On second and seven from the OU 32 yard line,
Lauren Clark recorded her first career interception. She returned the ball 36 yards to the KWU 10 yard line.
Four plays later Quinn threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to
Alyssa Linkous, her first collegiate touchdown pass, and OU took the game 33-6.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-0) will now travel to Boca Raton, Fla. and play Florida Atlantic University on Friday, March 17. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
