The Braves outscored Southwest College 19-7 in the fourth quarter last Saturday but was not able to complete the comeback, falling 24-22 to the no. 11 ranked Moundbuilders. Ottawa finished the night with 254 yards of offense, 149 yards passing and 105 yards rushing. Southwestern had 61 yards rushing and 255 yards passing for 316 yards of offense.
Billy Maples leads the Braves in passing, averaging 149 yards per game through the air. He also leads OU in rushing, averaging 42 yards on the ground per game.
Jayden Johnson leads Ottawa in receptions with five.
AJ Hemphill leads OU in tackles with 12.
James Gladden is second on the team with 11 tackles and
Kyle Reynolds had 10 tackles and one interception.
Saturday's game is the 70th meeting between Ottawa University and Friends University. Ottawa leads the series 39-29-1 and is on a three game winning streak against the Falcons. The Braves won the game last year in Wichita on Oct. 22, 28-13. OU is 22-16-1 against Friends in Ottawa. OU is 3-2 in the last five meetings against the Falcons at home. The very first game between Ottawa and Friends happened on Oct. 24, 1914 in Wichita. The Falcons won the game 21-2.
The Braves had five players named to the 2023 KCAC Football Preseason Bissell Division Team;
Anterrio White,
Derrick Curtis,
Daniel Sanchez,
James Gladden, and
Kevin Wade.
Ottawa has a record of 312-194-24 in home games and a record of 68-52-8 in home openers. The Braves have lost two straight home openers. The last time OU won a home opener was on Sept. 12, 2020. The Braves defeated non-conference opponent, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 27-21.
This is 132nd year of Ottawa University football. The Braves have an overall record of 586-488-46. Ottawa is no. 3 in the NAIA in program wins. 1. Baker (637) | 2. Missouri Valley (635) | 3. Ottawa (586).
