OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team defeated Bethany College 40-13 on Saturday afternoon at AdventHealth Field. Ottawa finished the game with 418 yards of offense, 169 yards through the air and 249 yards on the ground. Bethany had 337 yards of offense, 128 yards passing, and 209 yards rushing.
Ottawa's defense gave the Braves the ball three plays into the game.
Tony Davis forced the fumble and
Kevin Wade recovered it, giving OU the ball on the Swede 30 yard line.
The OU offense moved the ball to the 23 yard line but the drive stalled and
Rhett Andersen entered the game to attempt a 40 yard field goal. The kick split the uprights and with 12:16 left in the first quarter, Ottawa led 3-0.
The OU defense forced a Bethany punt and Ottawa took over on its own 25 yard line. 11 plays and 75 yards later, Ottawa was in the end zone.
Billy Maples connected with
Isaac Gibson on a 40 yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was no good and Ottawa had a 9-0 lead.
Ottawa's defense forced a second straight Swede punt. OU ended with good field position after a personal foul was called on Bethany, giving OU the ball on the Swede 35 yard line. Ottawa took advantage of the field position, putting together an eight play scoring drive. Maples threw a four yard touchdown pass to
De'Anthony Curtis. Andersen's extra point kick was good and Ottawa had 16-0 lead with 2:28 to go in the first quarter.
The Brave defense forced a third straight Bethany punt. Two plays later,
Malaki Peko scored on a 52 yard touchdown run. After the Andersen kick, Ottawa led 23-0 with 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
On the Swedes next offensive possession, they drove the ball to the OU 30 yard line. That is where the Brave defense took the ball away for the second time in the game. The Swede quarterback's pass was intercepted by
Marcus Mendoza. He returned the ball 18 yards, giving OU the ball on its own 33 yard line with 8:27 left in the half.
Ottawa was forced to punt for the first time in the game on its fifth offensive possession of the game and the Swedes were able to put together a scoring drive. Bethany cut into the Brave lead with 2:45 left in the second quarter. Zamarion Spencer scored from four yards out for the touchdown. The extra point kick was no good and Ottawa's lead was cut to 23-6.
OU answered Bethany's score with a 32 yard field goal by Andersen and Ottawa took a 26-6 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter, the Braves extended their lead to 33-6 on a 28 yard touchdown pass from Maples to
Wynton Ruth. Bethany scored a touchdown with 11:10 remaining in the fourth quarter to get within 33-13.
Ottawa quickly answered 22 seconds later on a 78 yard touchdown run by Ruth and the Braves took the lead and the victory, 40-13.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (2-4) returns to the gridiron on Saturday, Oct. 14 against the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
