OTTAWA, Kan. — The Ottawa University football program made history Saturday night at AdventHealth Field, capturing the 600th victory in program history with a 33-13 season-opening win over Kansas Wesleyan University. With the victory, Ottawa became just the third NAIA football program to reach 600 all-time wins.
The Braves used a strong first half, timely turnovers and a three-touchdown performance from quarterback
Luke Edwards to build a 27-6 halftime advantage. Ottawa's defense forced five Kansas Wesleyan turnovers, including two interceptions, while the Braves did not turn the ball over.
Ottawa wasted little time putting points on the board. After
Kadyn Hodson blocked a Kansas Wesleyan punt and gave OU possession at the Coyote one-yard line,
Amiri Mumba scored on the next play to give the Braves a 6-0 lead with 12:02 remaining in the first quarter.
The Braves' special teams unit came up with another big play on the ensuing kickoff. Rae'G Dailey fumbled the return and
Ike Prengel recovered for Ottawa at the KWU 28. The Braves were unable to turn that takeaway into points, but the OU defense quickly gave the offense another opportunity when
Elijah Hann recovered a Kansas Wesleyan fumble.
Ottawa capitalized on that turnover. Facing third-and-15, Edwards found
AJ Moore for a 17-yard touchdown, and Prengel's extra point gave OU a 13-0 advantage with 8:35 left in the opening quarter. Kansas Wesleyan answered with a 10-play, 71-yard drive, cutting Ottawa's lead to 13-6 on a four-yard Caleb Deal touchdown run.
The Braves took control in the second quarter.
Ethan Gardner intercepted Deal and returned the ball 13 yards to the KWU 21. Four plays later, Edwards connected with
Rowdy Keith for a three-yard touchdown, extending the OU advantage to 20-6.
Ottawa's defense struck again later in the quarter when
Cade Monroe intercepted Wyatt Oak at the KWU 40. Edwards immediately connected with Moore for 29 yards, followed by an eight-yard completion to Keith. Mumba finished the short drive with a three-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game, to send Ottawa into halftime with a commanding 27-6 lead.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, although Ottawa put together a 12-play, 45-yard drive before a 33-yard field goal attempt went wide left. Later in the quarter, the Braves' special teams unit created another scoring opportunity when
Anthony Hollis recovered a fumbled punt at the KWU 10.
OU turned the takeaway into six points on the first possession of the fourth quarter. Edwards found
Zayne Nowak for a three-yard touchdown with 14:56 remaining, giving the Braves a 33-6 lead. It was Edwards' third touchdown pass of the night.
Kansas Wesleyan scored the game's final touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, but the night belonged to the Braves as Ottawa closed out the 33-13 victory and secured win No. 600 in program history.
Inside the Box Score
- Luke Edwards completed 16-of-32 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
- AJ Moore led the OU receiving corps with six catches for 86 yards and one touchdown, averaging 14.3 yards per reception.
- Rowdy Keith caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, while Zayne Nowak had a three-yard touchdown reception.
- Amiri Mumba scored twice on the ground, finishing with two of Ottawa's five touchdowns.
- Kimbriq Minnis led the Braves on the ground with 20 yards on 11 attempts.
- Ottawa's defense forced five Kansas Wesleyan turnovers, recovering three fumbles and intercepting two passes. The Braves did not commit a turnover.
- Ethan Gardner and Cade Monroe each recorded an interception. Gardner returned his pick 13 yards, while Monroe's interception helped set up Mumba's second touchdown.
- Ethan Yinger led Ottawa defensively with 10 tackles, including seven solo stops and a tackle for loss. Monroe followed with nine tackles.
- Gabe Watson finished with six tackles and recorded Ottawa's lone sack. The Braves totaled five tackles for loss.
- Joshua Iraheta was a major factor in the field-position battle, averaging 42.9 yards on eight punts, placing six inside the 20-yard line.
- Ottawa held Kansas Wesleyan to just 51 passing yards and intercepted two of the Coyotes' 21 pass attempts. KWU finished with 277 yards of offense, while Ottawa had 180.
Who is Next
The Braves (1-0) returns to the field on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Leavenworth, Kan. against the University of Saint Mary. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
