OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team earned its first victory of the season, defeating the University of Saint Mary Spires 33-30 on Saturday afternoon at AdventHealth Field.

Ottawa's defense forced a Spire punt on the first offensive possession of the game by either team and the Braves took over on its own 22 yard line. For the first time since Sept. 7, in the game against Friends University, the Braves scored on their opening drive of the contest.

The Braves put together a 13-play scoring drive that ended in a two yard touchdown run by Jordan Clay. Ethan Yinger's extra point kick was good and OU led 7-0 with 5:50 left in the first quarter.
The Spires quickly answered with a six-play scoring drive and with 3:04 on the clock, the game was tied 7-7.

Ottawa responded with its own six-play scoring drive. Clay scored from five yards out. The Yinger extra point kick was no good and OU had a 13-7 lead with 14:44 left in the second quarter.
Again, USM answered. This scoring drive took three plays and 59 seconds and USM took its first lead of the game, 14-13, at the 13:56 mark in the second quarter.

Neither team was able to cross the goal line for the rest of the half and Saint Mary took a 14-13 lead into the locker room.

Ottawa received the ball to start the second half and the Braves retook the lead five plays later. Clay scored for the third time in the contest, giving OU the 19-14 lead.

Saint Mary responded with a seven-play scoring drive, retaking the lead 21-19. On OU's next offensive possession, the Braves turned it over with an interception and USM took over on the OU 22-yard line. The Spires moved the ball to the OU 14-yard line and the Ottawa defense forced a USM 31-yard field goal. It was good and Saint Mary had a 24-19 lead over the Braves with 5:40 left in the third quarter.

The Braves were able to respond, putting together a seven-play scoring drive that ended in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Eggers to De'Anthony Curtis. OU went for two but could not convert and the Braves led 25-24 at the two-minute mark in the third quarter.

The teams exchanged punts and USM took over with 11:49 left in regulation on its 24-yard line. Six plays and 76 yards later, Saint Mary retook the lead on an eight-yard touchdown run by Raymond Webster. The Spires went for two but the attempt was no good and USM led 30-25 with 8:57 on the clock in the fourth quarter.

The USM lead did not last long, only six plays. Clay scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game from eight yards out. OU went for two and Clay crossed the goal line to give OU a 33-30 lead with 5:45 left in regulation.

The Spires did not have the ball for long after the kickoff by Yinger. Just four plays into USM's drive, Brandon Doles forced a Spire fumble. Teagan Flynn recovered the ball and the Braves had the ball on its own 43-yard line.

The OU offense ran nine plays and 3:35 came off the clock before Ottawa turned the ball over on downs. USM took over on its 20-yard line with 13 seconds on the clock. Two plays later the clock hit 00:00 and OU took the 33-30 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• The Braves had 415 yards of offense, 160 yards through the air and 255 yards on the ground. Ottawa only punted one time in the game. Saint Mary had 400 yards of offense, 175 yards rushing, and 225 yards passing. USM punted three times.
• Taylor Eggers was 18-for-22 through the air for 160 yards and one touchdown. He also had one interception.
• Jordan Clay rushed for 155 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns.
• De'Anthony Curtis finished the game with nine receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown.
• Brandon Doles, Marcus Mendoza, Ethan Fuentes, AJ Hemphill, and Christian Coggs had five tackles apiece. Mendoza finished with two pass breakups. Doles finished with a forced fumble.

Who is Next
Ottawa (1-6, 1-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Oct. 26 against Sterling College in Sterling, Kan. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.