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Monday, November 10, 2008 10:08 AM

Braves' seniors make plays all over field in 73-3 victory

By GREG MAST, Herald Sports Editor

Seniors had a big day Saturday for the Ottawa University football team at Peoples Bank Field.

It appeared a senior had a hand in every big play against Southwestern, from Evander Williams’ interception to Chris Simms’ big reception day to the 100-yard rushing games from Kevin Mikeska and Robbie DuBois.

It was a record-setting day for the Ottawa offense in the 73-3 blasting of the Moundbuilders Saturday at Peoples Bank Field. Ottawa erupted for 705 yards, which broke the previous school best of 620 yards set in 1999.

Quarterback Ethan Haller passed for 365 yards and became the single-season passing yards leader with a game left in the regular season.

Simms’ 97-yard touchdown reception was the second-longest pass play in school history, eclipsed only by a 99-yard pass play in 1982.

“It was all across the board,” Ottawa coach Kent Kessinger said about how well the seniors played. “A lot of these guys were seniors. A lot of these guys were here in the lean times. It was great for these guys.”

Mikeska, who rushed for 119 yards and scored two touchdowns, said this was the way the seniors wanted to go out at Peoples Bank Field.

“Seventy-three to three speaks for itself,” Mikeska said. “We wanted to leave as a family. We were focused on getting a win.”

The senior said the offense was clicking.

“We have weapons everywhere,” he said. “We utilized it.”

The offensive line, which sports four senior starters, completely dominated the Southwestern defensive line. Ottawa gashed the Moundbuilders for a season-best 328 yards rushing.

“We wanted to see that dominance,” Mikeska said. “You could not have drawn it up any better.”

Kessinger said at one point during the game, the line gave Haller an eight-second pocket.

“It was a credit to the guys up front,” Kessinger said.

Ottawa made it look easy, scoring on seven of its eight possessions in the first half. Ottawa scored on three of its first four possessions in the second half, running out to a 66-3 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.

The highlight was the 97-yard pass play. Ottawa was pinned at the 3 because of a 67-yard punt. On the first play, Simms made a double move on the Southwestern corner and went by him and Haller hit the senior in stride. Simms sped the rest of the way for the score.

Kessinger said the coaches noticed during the breaking down of game film on the Moundbuilders how the corner would bite on the double move and it was the perfect situation for the play.

Simms caught four passes for 164 yards. Senior receiver Will Allison had three receptions for 37 yards.

Senior back Robbie DuBois had 117 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns. He had a nice 49-yard run for a score. Senior fullback Michael Wickley scored the first touchdown of his career.

The defense also turned in a nice performance. Southwestern was limited to 200 yards of offense. Ottawa gave up just 46 yards rushing and had five interceptions.

Xavier Weathersby had one of the most interesting ones as he took away the ball from a Southwestern receiver.

Kessinger said Ottawa played a physical-brand of football.

“They put the hammer down,” he said. “It was a testament to our players.”

The No. 17 Braves were focused on not looking ahead to this week’s showdown with Sterling.

Kessinger said it started with Tuesday’s practice, which he called the best of the season.

Ottawa (8-1, 7-1) plays for a possible NAIA playoff berth Saturday in Sterling.

Scoring

O — DuBois 1 run (Wieder kick).

O — Wieder 36 FG.

O — Simms 30 pass from Haller (Wieder kick).

S — Ledy 22 FG.

O — Simms 97 pass from Haller (Wieder kick).

O — Mikeska 55 run (Wieder kick).

O — Burnett 32 pass from Haller (Wieder kick).

O — DuBois 3 run (Wieder kick).

O — DuBois 49 run (Wieder kick).

O — Wickley 1 run (Wieder kick).

O — Mikeska 15 run (Wieder kick).

O — Moorning 60 interception return (Wieder kick).

Individual statistics

Rushing — Ottawa (48-328): Mikeska 13-119; DuBois 15-117; Barbour 6-33; Haller 5-32; Southwestern (42-46): Myers 13-23; Mondero 8-20; Ridgeway 2-11; Mitchell 2-7.

Passing — Ottawa: Haller 17-24-0 365; Johnson 1-2-0 12; Southwestern: Lyons 11-32-5 154.

Receiving — Ottawa: Simms 4-164; Burnett 3-77; Allison 3-37; Davidsmeyer 2-27; Southwestern: Schaefer 5-107; Lynn 2-27; Wyrick 2-6; Mondero 1-11.

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Braves' seniors make plays all over field in 73-3 victory

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.