OTTAWA, Kan. — Ottawa University overcame an early deficit, a lengthy lightning delay and an overnight postponement to earn a convincing 61-20 victory over Sterling College at AdventHealth Field.
The game began Saturday night but was halted by lightning with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter. After the delay continued, the decision was made to postpone the remainder of the contest until Sunday. The two teams returned to AdventHealth Field on Sunday to complete the quarters of play with Ottawa finishing off the 41-point victory.
Sterling struck first after taking over at the Ottawa 19 following a punt return. Steven Werking connected with Ty Goans for a four-yard touchdown, giving the Warriors a 7-0 lead with 13:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Braves needed just 14 seconds to answer.
AJ Moore returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and
Ike Prengel's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Sterling regained the lead late in the first quarter when Gabriel Corona connected with Khyaire Hines for an 86-yard touchdown, putting the Warriors ahead 14-7.
From there, Ottawa took control.
The Braves tied the game at 14-14 when
Luke Edwards found
Jayden Johnson for a 51-yard touchdown with 11:35 remaining in the half.
Ottawa took its first lead on a 24-yard field goal by Prengel, giving OU a 17-14 advantage. The Braves' defense then came up with a fourth-down stop, and the offense quickly capitalized.
Malakai Hudson broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 24-14.
The defense produced another key play late in the half when
Ethan Yinger intercepted Werking and returned the ball 33 yards to the Ottawa 37. Edwards and the offense turned the takeaway into points, marching 63 yards in seven plays. Edwards found Johnson for a 15-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining, sending Ottawa into halftime with a 30-14 lead.
Ottawa continued to control the game after halftime.
Gabe Watson forced a fumble on Sterling's opening possession of the third quarter, and
Jacob Hill recovered it at the Warrior 39. Three plays later, Edwards connected with Johnson for a 34-yard touchdown, Johnson's third scoring reception of the game, to make it 37-14.
Sterling answered with a touchdown to cut the deficit to 37-20, but the Braves responded immediately.
Amiri Mumba gained nine yards before fumbling, but
Quinn Conley recovered the ball and raced 52 yards for a touchdown, pushing Ottawa's advantage to 44-20.
After the OU defense forced a three-and-out, Edwards needed only one play to strike again, connecting with
Hagan Johnson for a 43-yard touchdown and a 51-20 lead late in the third.
The Braves wasted no time adding to their lead in the fourth. On Ottawa's first offensive play of the quarter,
Elijah Ribaudo connected with
De'Anthony Curtis for a 68-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 58-20.
Ottawa's defense continued to make plays.
Kadyn Hodson intercepted Jayden Schemm and returned the ball 54 yards to the Sterling two-yard line.
OU's special teams added another big play when
Gabe Watson blocked a Sterling punt, setting the Braves up at the Warrior 28. Prengel later connected on a 43-yard field goal with 1:53 remaining to put the finishing touches on Ottawa's 61-20 victory.
Statistical Breakdown
- Ottawa finished with 489 yards of total offense, averaging 9.1 yards per play, while Sterling totaled 319 yards and averaged 3.8 yards per play.
- The Braves threw for 344 yards and rushed for 145. Ottawa averaged 10.8 yards per pass play and 6.6 yards per rushing attempt.
- Luke Edwards completed 14-of-27 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Elijah Ribaudo went 4-for-5 for 70 yards and one touchdown.
- Jayden Johnson had a huge day, catching seven passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 26 yards per reception.
- De'Anthony Curtis finished with three receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Hagan Johnson had a 43-yard touchdown reception.
- Malakai Hudson led Ottawa on the ground with 78 yards and a touchdown on three carries, averaging 26 yards per attempt.
- AJ Moore returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, immediately answering Sterling's opening score.
- Ike Prengel accounted for 13 points, connecting on seven extra points and two field goals, including a 43-yarder.
- Ottawa's defense finished with eight sacks for 62 yards and 16 tackles for loss for 91 yards. The Braves also forced a fumble, intercepted two passes and blocked a punt.
- Ibrahimi Mahdi led OU with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Cade Monroe added seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
- Gabe Watson recorded six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a blocked punt. Jacob Hill finished with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
- Ethan Yinger and Kadyn Hodson each recorded an interception. Yinger returned his pick 33 yards, while Hodson had a 54-yard return.
- After trailing 14-7, Ottawa outscored Sterling 54-6 the rest of the way, including a 23-point second quarter and a 21-point third quarter.
Who is Next
The Braves (3-0) are back in action against no. 21 Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
