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2009-11-21

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Thursday, October 22, 2009 9:44 PM

File photo/The Ottawa Herald

Ottawa University sophomore Clarence Anderson led the NAIA in all-purpose yards. Ottawa plays Saturday at the University of Saint Mary.

OU aware of Spire trouble

By Greg Mast/Herald Sports Editor

The University of Saint Mary football program has not been a big winner, but it has given Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents fits through the years.

Ottawa University has had its trouble with the Spires. In the five previous years, Saint Mary has a 3-2 edge.

Many of the Ottawa players remember the 2007 debacle when the Braves fell 24-13.

Ottawa coach Kent Kessinger said the Braves forgot to get off the bus for that game.

The Braves feel refreshed heading into the 1:30 p.m. game Saturday in Leavenworth.

The No. 8 Ottawa squad is coming off its bye week and a 79-6 thrashing of Tabor two weeks ago.

Kessinger said the week off allowed Ottawa to rest, get healthy and refocus on the task at hand.

“In order for us to reach any of our goals, we have to continue to win,” Kessinger said. “They always play us hard. We are going to have to play our best.”

Ottawa is wearing the bullseye with its ranking and undefeated mark.

The coach said college football can be unpredictable and pointed to last week’s games across the nation where many upsets happened.

“Bye was a great opponent [for us],” Kessinger said. “There were a lot of upside downs. Anything can happen. You have to focus and play hard.”

Saint Mary (2-4) has scored more than 40 points a game in two of the past three weeks. The Spires topped Bethel 42-27 this past Saturday and in late September rolled up 49 points on Southwestern.

“They can put up some points,” Kessinger said.

Saint Mary is 2-2 in its past four games. Kessinger said Spires coach Lance Hinson told him his team has been good one week and bad the next.

Kessinger is hoping for a bad game this week to continue the Spires’ roller-coaster ride.

The Braves are an experienced team, but it has been inconsistent in games. Ottawa has been more of a second-half team.

Kessinger hopes the changes made in the pregame routine will produce a fast start, similar to the one against Tabor.

The Braves fired on all cylinders as they scored 44 points and punished the Tabor defense for 415 yards in the first half.

Ottawa continues to lead the NAIA in passing (436 yards) and total offense (549). Clarence Anderson is tops in the NAIA in all-purpose yards (216).

The Braves rolled up a school-record 711 yards against Tabor.

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com

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OU aware of Spire trouble

By Greg Mast/Herald Sports Editor

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.