Skip To Main Content

Ottawa University

Football 2023 vs. McPherson
21
Ottawa OTTAWA 1-3 , 0
27
Winner Evangel (MO) EVANGEL 4-0 , 0
Ottawa OTTAWA
1-3 , 0
21
Final
27
Evangel (MO) EVANGEL
4-0 , 0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
OTTAWA Ottawa 7 7 7 0 21
EVANGEL Evangel (MO) 0 13 14 0 27

Game Recap: Football |

Football is Tripped up by (20) Evangel, 27-21

NIXA, Mo. – The Ottawa University football team fell short, 27-21, to no. 20 Evangel University at Eagle Field on Saturday afternoon. OU finished the game with 246 yards of offense while Evangel had 387.

Ottawa struck first, taking the opening drive 16 plays and 73 yards for a touchdown. Austin Zavala threw a three yard touchdown pass to Anterrio White. The extra point kick by Rhett Andersen was good and with 6:45 left in the first quarter, Ottawa led 7-0.

The OU defense forced a Valor punt and the offense took over on its own 22 yard line. This time the Braves put together an 11 play drive that ended in a Malaki Peko one yard touchdown run. Andersen's kick split the uprights, giving OU a 14-0 lead with 13:10 left in the half.

The Valor cut into OU's lead on its next offensive possession, scoring on a two yard run by Eric Williams. The PAT kick was good and the Brave lead was cut to 14-7 with 8:46 remaining in the second quarter.

The Braves were forced to punt on their third drive of the first half and Evangel took over on its own 16 yard line. EU drove the ball to the Brave six yard line. That is where the drive stalled, and the Valor attempted a 23 yard field goal. It was good and Evangel was within 14-10 of the Braves with 18 seconds left in the half.

Ottawa's offense turned the ball over on its first play of the series with an interception and EU had the ball on the OU 13 yard line. After an incomplete pass, the Valor tried a 30 yard field goal. It was good and OU's lead was trimmed to one point at the half, 14-13.

Evangel received the ball to start the second half. On the first play of the Valor drive, Tony Davis intercepted the ball, returning it 19 yards to the EU 31 yard line. Three plays later, Wynton Ruth scored on a 23 yard run and after the Andersen extra point kick, Ottawa led 21-13.

The Valor quickly answered OU's touchdown with one of their own. On the sixth play of the drive Williams scored on a 16 yard pass from RJ Wakley. The extra point kick was good, and Ottawa's lead was cut to 21-20 with 11:42 left in the third quarter.

After a punt by both teams, Ottawa took over for the third time in the half on its own four yard line. The Braves were unable to move the ball and forced to punt. Evangel fumbled the ball on the punt return and Jaden Thatcher recovered the ball on the Valor 37 yard line.

OU was not able to take advantage of the good field position and turned the ball over on an interception. EU's Nate Swofford return the ball 43 yards to the OU 31 yard line. Five plays later, Evangel took their first lead of the game on a Wakley 13 yard touchdown pass to Broc Lytle. The extra point kick was good and Evangel led 27-21 with 2:30 left in the third quarter.

Ottawa then punted, followed by a punt by Evangel, and then another punt by the Braves and the Valor took over on its own 46 yard line with 9:20 left in the game. EU drove the ball down to the OU nine yard line. On first and goal, William Agnew forced a fumble. AJ Hemphill recovered the ball and OU took over on its own five yard line with 5:47 left in the game.

OU was not able move the ball down the field and was forced to punt. The Brave defense held on Evangel's next offensive possession, forcing a punt. White came away with the big play on special teams, blocking the punt and OU took over on the Evangel 15 yard line with 1:39. Ottawa was not able to take advantage of the play by White on special teams, turning the ball over on downs.

Evangel kneeled on the ball, running out the clock to take the 27-21 victory.

Inside the Box Score
  • Ottawa rushed for 189 yards and threw for 57 yards for a total of 246 yards of offense. Evangel had 171 yards through the air and 216 yards rushing for 387 yards.
  • Billy Maples went 7-for-12 through the air for 35 yards.
  • Austin Zavala was 4-for-8 for 22 yards and a touchdown.
  • Wynton Ruth led OU with 82 yards rushing on 18 attempts and one touchdown.
  • De'Anthony Curtis had four receptions for 30 yards.
  • AJ Hemphill led the Braves with 13 tackles. He has one sack and one fumble recovery.
  • Saamad Ali finished with 11 tackles and Kyle Reynolds had seven tackles.
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-4) returns to the field on Saturday, Sept. 30 against Bethany College at AdventHealth Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
 
Print Friendly Version