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Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:51 PM

Defense bends in Ottawa's rout of Saint Mary

By The Herald Staff



LEAVENWORTH — Sometimes statistics don't tell the whole story or may not be close to the scoreboard outcome.

On Saturday, the statistics showed it was a shootout between No. 8 Ottawa University and the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth.

That was far from the truth. The teams combined for more than 1,000 yards and 50 first downs.

But the Ottawa defense came up big in the clutch with four interceptions and a fumble recovery to thwart off Spire drives.

Ottawa's offense finished off its drives, which resulted in a 54-13 victory.

Saint Mary marched all over the Ottawa defense for 524 yards, but scored just two touchdowns. The first on the second series of the game was the only points the starting defense surrendered.

Ottawa's offense finished with 526 yards. Ottawa passed for 383 and rushed for 143.

Senior running back Andy Otto was a huge weapon for the Braves. He rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries and scored a touchdown. He caught six passes for 95 yards for two more scores.

Quarterback Ethan Haller set a career passing yardage mark. He needed 182 yards heading into the game to surpass Eddie Buzzell's record of 5,606 yards. The senior passedfor 379 yards.

Haller is the career completions leader with 401. He is 42 yards short of the total offense for a season mark of 2,922 he set last year.

Ottawa's quick-strike offense had St. Mary reeling from the opening drive.

The Braves needed just two plays to go 53 yards on their first series. Otto rambled 21 yards for the score.

After Saint Mary took a 7-6 lead after an 81-yard touchdown pass, Ottawa answered with a five-play, 54-yard drive. Haller sneaked in from the 1.

Otto's next scoring drive was four plays. Otto caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.

The defense came up with a score. Joey Erwin returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown to give Ottawa a 26-7 lead at halftime.

Ottawa's first series in the second half was quick. In two plays, Ottawa went 58 yards. Otto scored on a 34-yard pass.

Less than two minutes later, Ottawa went 66 yards on  five plays with Clarence Anderson catching a 13-yard touchdown pass. Ottawa led 41-7.

The rout was on. Ottawa's reserves entered the game late in third quarter and scored two touchdowns.

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