OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University football team put together an explosive offensive performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating Bethany College 59-14 at AdventHealth Field. The Braves finished with 667 yards of total offense, while the Ottawa defense recorded seven sacks and forced three turnovers.
Luke Edwards led the Braves' passing attack, completing 27-of-48 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Edwards six touchdown passes tie him for second in the OU record book for single game touchdown passes.
Jayden Johnson caught nine passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns, while
De'Anthony Curtis finished with nine receptions for 177 yards.
Malakai Hudson led Ottawa on the ground with 101 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Ottawa wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After forcing Bethany to punt on its opening possession, the Braves took over at midfield. Edwards connected with Curtis for a 33-yard gain before finding
Rowdy Keith for a three-yard touchdown pass.
Ike Prengel's extra point gave OU a 7-0 lead with 11:39 remaining.
Bethany answered with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 32-yard touchdown pass from Wes Anderson to Lael Eddens. The Braves maintained a 7-6 lead after
Ethan Yinger blocked the extra-point attempt.
Ottawa responded immediately. Hudson broke free for a 42-yard run to set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to
Jayden Johnson, extending the Braves' lead to 14-6 with 3:45 remaining.
On Bethany's next possession, Yinger intercepted Anderson and gave Ottawa the ball at its own 42-yard line. The Braves capitalized with a five-play, 58-yard drive, finished by Hudson's one-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion pass from
Grant Miglicco to
Zayne Nowak gave Ottawa a 22-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Bethany opened the second-quarter scoring with a two-yard touchdown run by Trevyn Adams. A successful two-point conversion cut Ottawa's lead to 22-14 with 11:14 remaining in the half.
The Braves answered with a seven-play, 57-yard scoring drive. Edwards connected with
Jayden Johnson for a 30-yard touchdown pass, pushing Ottawa's lead to 29-14 with 8:40 remaining.
Ottawa's defense continued to make plays. Yinger forced a fumble by Adams, which
Elijah Hann recovered at the Bethany 36-yard line. The Braves moved the ball inside the five-yard line before Prengel connected on a 27-yard field goal with 6:13 remaining.
The Braves carried a 32-14 lead into halftime.
Third Quarter
Ottawa opened the second half with an explosive two-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Edwards connected with
Jayden Johnson for a 68-yard touchdown pass just 55 seconds into the quarter, increasing the Braves' lead to 39-14.
The OU defense continued to control the game.
Ethan Gardner intercepted Damian Briano on Bethany's next possession, giving the Braves their third takeaway of the afternoon.
Later in the quarter, Ottawa put together a nine-play, 49-yard touchdown drive. Edwards found Keith for a five-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 2:37 remaining. Prengel converted the extra point, giving the Braves a 46-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Ottawa continued its offensive production in the final quarter. The Braves completed a 10-play, 51-yard scoring drive when Hudson found the end zone from two yards out with 11:24 remaining. Prengel's extra point extended the lead to 53-14.
After the Ottawa defense forced another Bethany punt, the Braves needed just one play to score again. Edwards connected with
Hagan Johnson for a 59-yard touchdown pass with 9:55 remaining.
The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Ottawa ahead 59-14.
The Braves' defense kept Bethany off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest, completing a second-half shutout and securing the 59-14 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Offensive Highlights
- Ottawa finished with 667 yards of total offense on 78 plays, averaging 8.6 yards per play.
- The Braves totaled 498 passing yards and 169 rushing yards.
- Luke Edwards completed 27-of-48 passes for 482 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.
- Jayden Johnson finished with nine receptions for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including a 68-yard scoring reception.
- De'Anthony Curtis led Ottawa with 177 receiving yards on nine catches, averaging 19.7 yards per reception.
- Hagan Johnson caught three passes for 111 yards and one touchdown, including a 59-yard scoring reception.
- Rowdy Keith had two receptions for eight yards, with both catches resulting in touchdowns.
- Malakai Hudson rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
- Kimbriq Minnis added 37 rushing yards on five carries, while Javeon Shepherd finished with 27 yards on four attempts.
- Ottawa recorded 32 first downs, including 22 through the air and nine on the ground.
Defensive Highlights
- The Ottawa defense limited Bethany to 225 yards of total offense, including 146 passing yards and 79 rushing yards.
- The Braves recorded seven sacks for a loss of 55 yards and 13 tackles for loss totaling 64 yards.
- Cade Monroe and Ethan Yinger tied for the team lead with seven tackles apiece. Monroe added one sack and two tackles for loss.
- Yinger recorded an interception, forced a fumble, broke up a pass and blocked an extra-point attempt.
- Gabe Watson finished with five tackles and 1.5 sacks for 11 yards.
- Jacob Hill recorded four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
- Kadyn Hodson finished with five tackles.
- Kikoa Indaleio recorded three tackles and a sack for an 11-yard loss.
- Qui'len Johnson added a nine-yard sack.
- Ethan Gardner recorded an interception and a pass breakup.
- Elijah Hann recovered a fumble, and Kyle Watson blocked a punt.
- Ottawa forced three turnovers, collecting two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
- The Braves held Bethany scoreless in the second half.
Who is Next
Ottawa (6-3, 3-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Mo. against Avila University. Kick off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
