The Braves fell 27-21 to (20) Evangel University last Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field in Nixa, Mo. Ottawa had a 14-13 halftime lead over the Valor but was not able to hang on for the victory. OU finished the game with 246 yards of offense while Evangel had 387.
Through five games this season Ottawa is averaging 296 yards of offense per game, 161.8 rushing and 134.2 passing. The Brave offense is scoring 21.6 points per game. Opponents are averaging 258.4 yards rushing and 159.6 yards through the air against the OU defense (418 yards of offense). They are scoring 36.8 points per game.
Billy Maples leads the Braves in passing (55-133) with 620 yards. He is averaging 124 yards through the air per game and has throwing three touchdowns.
Wynton Ruth is OU's leader in rushing, averaging 63.4 yards on the4 ground per game. He has rushed for 317 yards on 64 attempts and scored four touchdowns.
Jayden Johnson leads the Braves in receiving with 19 receptions for 278 yards. He has one receiving touchdown.
AJ Hemphill leads the team in tackles with 60. He has one recovered fumble and one pass break up.
Kyle Reynolds has 44 tackles, three interceptions and one pass break up.
James Gladden is third on the team in tackles with 32. He has 3.5 tackles for loss.
Saturday is the 97th meeting between Ottawa University and Bethany College. Ottawa leads the series 57-36-3 and is on a two game winning streak against the Swedes and has won the last two games played at AdventHealth Field. OU won the meeting last year in Lindsborg on Nov. 12, 45-2. The first meeting between the two teams happened on Oct. 11, 1902 in Lindsborg. Bethany won the game, 17-5. Ottawa's first win at home over the Swedes happened on Oct. 5, 1917. The Braves won the game 14-6.
This will be the sixth time that the Braves have played a team coached by Bethany College head coach Mike Grossner. Coach Grossner spent 15 years at Baker University where he had a record of 4-1 against the Braves.
Ottawa is averaging 23.7 points per game on the road this season while scoring 18.5 points per game at home.
Bethany College is 1-4 through five games in 2023 and are on a two game losing streak.
The Swedes have lost 15 straight games on the road this season. BC's last road victory was on Nov. 9, 2019 against McPherson College. Bethany won the game 33-32.
BC is averaging 296 yards of offense per game, 161.8 yards on the ground and 134.2 yards through the air. Bethany is scoring 21.6 points per game. The Swede defense is allowing 418 yards of offense per game, 258.4 yards on the ground and 159.6 yards through the air. Opponents are scoring 36.8 points per game.
Bethany has played two quarterbacks in every game this season. Landry Shields is 49-for-110 through the air for 627 yards and five touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions. Peyton Mainolfi is 40-for-79 through the air for 498 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Zamarion Spencer has rushed 91 times for 366 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Swedes. He is averaging 73.2 rushing yards per game. Michael Young is BC's leading receiver. He has 27 receptions for 430 yards and five touchdowns.
Connor Payomo leads BC in tackles with 34. He has two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles, one interception, and one pass break up. Calvin Geans is right behind him with 31 tackles and David Sweetman is third on the team in tackles with 24.
Bethany enters Saturday's game coming off a 57-18 home loss to the University of Saint Mary. Bethany finished the game with 345 yard of offense, 248 yards through the air and 97 yards rushing. USM had 402 yards of offense, 237 yards passing and 165 yards rushing. Zamarion Spencer rushed 16 times for 97 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
In the game, Bethany had 12 penalties for 137 yards and turned the ball over five times (2 fumbles, 3 INT)
Through five games this season, Bethany has nine interceptions and eight fumbles.
