OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team celebrated its 95th Homecoming game in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, defeating Evangel University 38-35 in overtime at AdventHealth Field.
Ike Prengel connected on an 18-yard field goal in overtime to give the Braves their first victory over the Valor in program history and open KCAC Kessinger Division play with a win. The victory improved Ottawa's all-time Homecoming record to 64-31.
Senior quarterback
Luke Edwards led the Braves' offensive attack, completing 32-of-46 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns.
Ottawa finished with 528 yards of total offense, including 470 through the air, while
De'Anthony Curtis contributed two touchdowns, one receiving and one on a 71-yard punt return.
First Quarter
Evangel struck first after an interception gave the Valor possession at the Ottawa 10-yard line. Luke Milligan connected with Brady Allen for a 10-yard touchdown pass at the 13:03 mark. The missed extra point left Evangel with a 6-0 lead.
The Braves answered with a nine-play, 84-yard drive. Edwards connected with
AJ Moore for a 61-yard gain on third-and-14, moving Ottawa deep into Evangel territory.
Anthony Powell capped the possession with a seven-yard touchdown run, and Prengel's extra point gave Ottawa a 7-6 lead with 7:50 remaining.
Evangel regained the advantage when Zuric Humes broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run, putting the Valor ahead 13-7 with 4:33 left in the quarter.
Second Quarter
Ottawa opened the second quarter with a seven-play, 62-yard scoring drive. Edwards found
Jayden Johnson for a 48-yard completion to set up the Braves inside the Evangel 15-yard line. Facing fourth-and-two at the four-yard line, Edwards connected with Johnson for a touchdown. Prengel added the extra point, giving Ottawa a 14-13 advantage with 13:10 remaining.
The Valor responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Noah Bryant's five-yard touchdown run to regain a 20-14 lead.
Ottawa's defense provided a crucial momentum shift late in the half.
Cade Monroe sacked Milligan and forced a fumble that
Jacob Hill recovered and returned 11 yards to the Evangel 48-yard line with 1:20 remaining.
The Braves took advantage of the turnover. Edwards found
Jayden Johnson for 19 yards before connecting with
Hagan Johnson on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds remaining. Prengel's extra point sent Ottawa into halftime leading 21-20.
Third Quarter
Ottawa wasted little time extending its lead to begin the second half.
After the Braves' defense forced Evangel into a three-and-out, Curtis fielded a punt at the Ottawa 29-yard line and raced 71 yards for a touchdown. Prengel's extra point gave the Braves a 28-20 advantage with 13:59 remaining in the third quarter.
Evangel answered with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Milligan found Allen for a 20-yard touchdown, and the Valor converted the two-point attempt to tie the game at 28-28 with 9:45 remaining.
The Valor later took a 35-28 lead when Milligan connected with Broc Lyle for a 36-yard touchdown with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Trailing by seven, Ottawa's offense responded midway through the fourth quarter.
Starting at their own 20-yard line, the Braves marched 80 yards in six plays. Edwards completed passes to
Jayden Johnson, Curtis and
Hagan Johnson before finding Curtis for a 25-yard touchdown. Prengel's extra point tied the contest at 35-35 with 7:31 remaining.
The Braves had an opportunity to take the lead on their next possession. A 36-yard run by
Malakai Hudson moved Ottawa inside the Evangel 10-yard line, but a 30-yard field goal attempt missed left with 1:46 remaining.
Ottawa's defense came through again in the final minute.
Donovan Martin intercepted Milligan and returned the ball 11 yards to the Evangel 49-yard line.
The contest remained tied at 35-35 at the end of regulation, sending the Homecoming matchup into overtime.
Overtime
Ottawa's defense delivered another critical stop in overtime. Evangel gained just six yards on its possession, and
Qui'len Johnson tackled Bryant for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-two to turn the ball over on downs.
On Ottawa's ensuing possession, Edwards connected with Curtis for a 19-yard gain to the Evangel six-yard line. Hudson added a two-yard run, and the Braves eventually moved the ball to the one-yard line.
Facing fourth-and-goal, Prengel stepped onto the field and connected on an 18-yard field goal to secure the 38-35 victory, sending the Braves to a Homecoming celebration.
Inside the Numbers
Offense
- Luke Edwards completed 32-of-46 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns.
- Jayden Johnson led Ottawa's receiving corps with 12 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown.
- De'Anthony Curtis caught five passes for 133 yards and one touchdown, including a 75-yard reception in overtime.
- AJ Moore finished with six receptions for 99 yards, including a 61-yard catch.
- Hagan Johnson caught five passes for 72 yards and one touchdown.
- Quinn Conley added one reception for 51 yards.
- Malakai Hudson led Ottawa's rushing attack with 69 yards on 17 carries.
- Anthony Powell rushed for 19 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
- Ottawa finished with 582 yards of total offense on 76 plays, averaging 7.7 yards per play.
- The Braves recorded 23 first downs and converted 8-of-18 third-down opportunities.
Defense
- Ethan Yinger led the Braves with a game-high 14 tackles (four solo, 10 assisted), half a tackle for loss and three pass breakups.
- Cade Monroe finished with nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss.
- JT Turner recorded eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Gabe Watson registered six tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
- Jacob Hill finished with six tackles and recovered a fumble, returning it 11 yards.
- Bryson Nolan added six tackles.
- Qui'len Johnson recorded five tackles and one tackle for loss, including the crucial fourth-down stop in overtime.
- Donovan Martin finished with three tackles, one interception, an 11-yard interception return and one pass breakup.
- Ottawa's defense recorded three sacks, nine tackles for loss and six pass breakups.
- The Braves forced two turnovers, recovering one fumble and intercepting one pass.
Special Teams
- Ike Prengel connected on the game-winning 18-yard field goal in overtime.
- Prengel finished with eight points, converting all five extra-point attempts and one field goal.
- De'Anthony Curtis returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
- Curtis totaled 68 net punt return yards on two returns and 46 yards on two kickoff returns.
- Mason Williams punted four times for 177 yards, averaging 44.3 yards per punt, with a long of 48 yards.
Who is Next
Ottawa (4-3, 1-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Hillsboro, Kan. against Tabor College. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
