OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team was defeated 26-13 by Avila University on Saturday afternoon at AdventHealth Field.

Avila struck first, recovering a Brave fumble, and returning it 35 yards for a touchdown. The extra point kick was good and with 11:15 on the clock, the Eagles led 7-0.

The Eagles extended its lead over the Braves at the 13:52 mark in the second quarter. Avila took over on the Brave 12 yard line after an OU interception. Avila's Eli Williams threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Kareem Chambers. The extra point kick was no good and Avila led 13-0.

The Braves were able to cut into the Avila lead on its next offensive possession. OU put together a seven play, 66 yard scoring drive that ended in a Jordan Clay 23 yard touchdown run. The Rhett Andersen extra point kick was good and OU was down 13-7 with 10:27 remaining in the first half.

Both teams punted and Avila received the ball with 5:04 left in the second quarter. The Eagles moved the ball to the OU 27 yard line. That is where the OU defense held, forcing a 44 yard field goal attempt by Avila. It was no good and the Eagles took a 13-7 lead into the locker room.

Ottawa received the ball to start the second half. The Braves put together their second scoring drive of the game. Clay scored his second rushing touchdown of the contest from 18 yards out. The extra point kick was no good and the game was tied 13-13 with 10:36 left in the third.

The two teams exchanged punts and Avila took over with 6:06 on the clock in the third quarter. The Eagles broke the tie, putting together a six play, 61 yard scoring drive. The extra point kick was good and Avila led 20-13 with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter.

The Braves were forced to punt on their next offensive possession. Avila's punt returner fumbled the ball and Rowdy Keith recovered the fumble at the AU 33 yard line for the Braves to extend the drive.  
OU moved the ball to the AU one yard line and had it fourth and goal. The Braves were not able to get into the endzone and Avila took over.

The two teams exchanged punts once more and AU had the ball on its own 45 yard line with 11:37 left in the fourth quarter. On the second play of the Avila drive, Christian Obregon forced a fumble that was recovered by Marcus Mendoza and OU had the ball on its own 36 yard line.

Ottawa moved the ball across midfield but the drive stalled and OU went for it on fourth and eight from the AU 41 yard line. The Braves were not able to convert, and Avila took over with 6:09 left in the contest.

Two plays later the Eagles were in the endzone. Williams threw a 52 yard touchdown pass to Kendal Wooley. The extra point kick was no good and with 5:10 left in the fourth, OU trailed 26-13.
On OU's final offensive drive of the game, the Braves moved the ball to the AU 47 yard line. Ottawa was not able to convert a fourth and seven and Avila took over.

The Eagles ran out the clock in the final 3:18 of the contest, taking the 26-13 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• The Braves finished the game with 315 yards of offense, 77 yards passing and 236 yards rushing. Avila had 282 yards of offense, 239 yards passing, and 43 yards rushing.
• Taylor Eggers was 12-for-26 through the air for 79 yards and an interception.
• Jordan Clay rushed 31 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
• De'Anthony Curtis had six receptions for 40 yards.
• AJ Hemphill led OU with 10 tackles.
• Ethan Fuentes finished with seven tackles and two tackles for loss.
• Christian Obregon and Payton Green had six tackles. Obregon had one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

Who is Next
Ottawa (1-8, 1-2) returns to the gridiron on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Salina, Kan. against Kansas Wesleyan University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.