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USA Weekend
Monday, October 26, 2009 10:03 PM

Braves keep Saint Mary out of end zone in rout

By Greg Mast/Herald Sports Editor

LEAVENWORTH — The Ottawa University defense has been overshadowed by the Braves’ high-powered offense all season.

And the defense did not do anything to dispell that rap Saturday as it gave up 524 yards to the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, which nevertheless struggled to finish its drives.

In the process, the seventh-ranked Ottawa squad rumbled to a 54-13 victory.

Ottawa came up with five turnovers and returned an interception for a score.

“Our defense bent, but did not break,” Ottawa assistant Wendell Smith said. “[Saint Mary] has a good offensive system.”

Ottawa head coach Kent Kessinger said the Spires’ offense can move the ball and score.

“Defensively, we were slow getting out of the gate,” Kessinger said. “They have weapons. They are a good football team.”

Ottawa stopped drives with an interception in the end zone by Logan Schultz with Ottawa up 13-7 in the second quarter.

Joey Erwin returned an interception 55 yards late in the first half to give Ottawa a 26-7 lead.

The defense opened the second half with an Art Rubio interception, which led to an Ottawa touchdown and a commanding 41-7 lead.

Kessinger said the Ottawa defense did miss tackles.

The Ottawa offense did not miss a beat. Ottawa put up 526 yards. Ethan Haller was 21-of-34 for 379 yards passing. He was selected the conference offensive player of the week. Ottawa rushed for 143 yards.

“We wanted to run the football,” Kessinger said.

The coach said early on, Ottawa ran tentatively, but as the game progressed the running backs began running hard.

Andy Otto rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries and scored on a 21-yard run. He also caught six passes for 95 yards and scored two more touchdowns.

“He showed that dual threat,” Kessinger said. “Our receivers did a good job of blocking. It is nice for them to do that for each other.”

The Ottawa reserves got into the act, playing the last part of third and all of the fourth quarter.

Running backs Michael Wickley and Michael Baer scored the final two touchdowns.

Kessinger said playing the reserves builds depth and prevents injuries.

Another area of superiority was special teams. Ottawa blocked a punt and kickoff coverage was the best all season. Saint Mary had the long field all game long.

Ottawa (7-0) plays 2 p.m. Saturday at home against Kansas Wesleyan.

Scoring

O — Otto 21 run (kick failed).

S — Walburn 81 pass from Robles (Schattle kick).

O — Haller 1 run (Wieder kick).

O — Otto 5 pass (kick failed).

O — Erwin 55 pass interception (Hall kick).

O — Otto 34 pass from Haller (Hall kick).

O — Anderson 13 pass from Haller (C. Schultz run).

O — Wickley 3 run (Hall kick).

S — Joly 9 run (run failed).

O — Baer 17 run (kick failed).

Individuals (leaders)

Rushing: Ottawa (28-143) — Baer 7-58; Otto 11-54; Tucker 5-12; Krug 1-12; USM (38-104) — Jones 13-37; Ridley 3-31; Joly 10-30; Walsh 4-22.

Passing: Ottawa — Haller 21-34-1 379; Krug 1-2-0 4; USM — Robles 21-41-4 329; Joly 8-14-0 91.

Receiving: Ottawa — Anderson 6-139; Otto 6-95; C. Schultz 3-40; Burnett 2-59; USM — Walburn 7-162; Wallin 7-107; Willie 5-57.

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com

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