OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University women's flag football team rallied for a 28-20 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday evening at AdventHealth Field. Ottawa trailed at halftime for the first time since the NAIA Flag Finals Tournament on May 12, 2022 when St. Thomas University led OU 7-6 at the half.OU held KWU scoreless in the second half to secure the victory.

Ottawa received the ball to start the game and drove it to the KWU 12 yard line. OU was not able to convert a fourth and goal, turning the ball over on downs.

Kansas Wesleyan scored on its first offensive possession of the game, giving the Coyotes an early lead. KWU put together a seven play, 58 yard drive that ended in a Diaran DeCuir two yard touchdown run. The Brianna Hernandez-Silva extra point attempt was good and the Coyotes had a 7-0 lead.

The Braves were forced to punt on its second offensive possession of the game and KWU took over on its own 36 yard line. KWU put together another scoring drive, this one 11 plays and 44 yards, to take a 14-0 lead.

Ottawa was not able to answer and was forced to punt for the second time. This time the Brave defense held, forcing the first Coyote punt and Ottawa took over on its own 30 yard line.

On its fourth offensive possession of the game, the Braves were able to find the end zone. Ottawa finished its 11 play, 50 yard drive with a three yard Madysen Carrera touchdown pass to Mya Quinn. The extra point pass by Carrera was good and Ottawa was down 14-7 with 1:55 to go in the half.

The Coyotes quickly answered on first and 12 from its own 28 yard line, Hernandez-Silva's pass was broken up. The ball, however, did not hit the ground and off the deflection, ended up in the hands of DeCuir for the 52 yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good and KWU led 20-7 with 37 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Ottawa quick answered putting together its second straight scoring drive. Carrera completed a 36 yard touchdown pass to Bailey Hodgins. Carrera's one point rush attempt was good and KWU took a 20-14 lead into the locker room.

KWU received the ball to start the second half and the OU defense forced a punt. Ottawa drove the ball down to the Coyote five yard line but could not find the end zone on fourth down, giving KWU the ball on its own two with 3:21 left in the third.

OU's defense forced another Coyote punt and this time the Braves were able to take their first lead of the game. Ottawa tied the game on a 38 yard touchdown pass from Carrera to Alyssa Linkous. Carrera's one point pass attempt was good and OU had a 21-20 lead with 6:35 left in the fourth quarter.

Kansas Wesleyan drove the ball to the OU 18 yard line where the Coyotes had it first and goal. The OU defense forced four straight incompletions, forcing a turnover on downs. Four plays later, the Brave offense had the ball first and goal. Carrera found Linkous for a second time in the game, this time a 20 yard touchdown pass. The Carrera one point pass attempt was good and the Braves had a 28-20 lead.

Kansas Wesleyan attempted to send the game into overtime. It would have been the first overtime game for the Braves in program history. KWU drove the ball down to OU 18 yard line with four seconds on the clock. Hernandez-Silva scrambled to her right and before she let the ball fly into the end zone, Dejonice Parris pulled her flag and recorded the sack to give OU a 28-20 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Ottawa finished the game with 347 yards of offense while KWU had 315. The Braves had 296 yards through the air and 51 yards rushing. The Coyotes rushed for 85 yards and threw for 230.
• Madysen Carrera led OU in rushing with 42 yards. She also threw for 286 yards (26-for-34) and four touchdowns.
• Alyssa Linkous had 11 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Her 11 receptions ranks her second in the OU single game book in receptions and her 146 receiving yards is third.
• Bailey Hodgins had seven receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.
• Mya Quinn had the other touchdown reception for OU.
• Abby Brown led OU with seven tackles.
• Susann Kaufmann and Dejonice Parris had a sack apiece.
• Jukanie Washington finished the game with six tackles.

Who is Next
Ottawa (6-0, 4-0) will now host the University of Saint Mary and Cottey College at AdventHealth Field on Wednesday, April 5. The Braves and Spires will play at 5:00 p.m. The game between the Braves and Comets will follow at 7:00 p.m.