COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican football team found themselves in unfamiliar territory on Saturday afternoon as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) second ranked scoring offense was shutout for their first time since their inaugural season in 2004 by the #4 ranked University of St. Francis Cougars . ODU racked up a total of 347 yards of total offense 22, more yards than the host Cougars, but failed to capitalize in the red zone dropping the highly anticipated showdown with St. Francis (Ind.), 35-0.
The game started as many expected a defensive struggle with both teams feeling out their opposition. ODU forced a quick three and out in the opening drive and looked to capitalize as they drove the ball to the USF 29 yard line where the drive stalled. After St. Francis held on fourth and two the Cougars offense answered when quarterback Jeff Wedding connected with Brian Schultz for a 21-yard gain. On the next play it was again Wedding finding a streaking Jarod Clodfelter from 49-yards out to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead with 7:35 to go in the opening quarter.
On their third possession ODU managed to move the ball on the Cougars top ranked defense, but a 38-yard field goal try by Mitch Croy (Ottawa , OH) sailed wide right turning the ball back over to St. Francis. USF steadily moved to a two TD lead with a 10 play, 79-yard drive capped off by a 6-yard run with just over a minute to play in the quarter.
The Panthers again failed to move the ball and were forced to punt. A miscue in special teams allowed Cougar defensive back Paul Carter to slip free and block the punt, scoop up the ball, and ran 40-yards to pay dirt giving the home team a comfortable 21-0 lead.
Down 21 points at the half Ohio Dominican looked to regroup for the second half, but it was all St. Francis on this day as their defense would bend but not break. ODU marched the ball down into striking distance on several occasions, but couldn't find the end zone. On the day the Panthers were 6-of-20 on the 3rd down conversions and 3-of-8 on 4th down, an area that ODU had been terrific earlier in the season.
After each roll of the dice in the second half it seemed St. Francis was able to capitalize. The Cougars managed two more scores late in the third quarter to put the game out of reach for the Panthers.
The defense of St. Francis hounded ODU quarterback Cris Reisert (Cincinnati , OH) all day, but he still managed to throw for 257 yards on 32-of-59 passing. Brandon Robinson (Eaton , OH; pictured) had another big day as he caught seven passes for 79 yards.
Defensively, the Panthers were led by Justin Fraley (Bellville , OH) with eight tackles and Michael Wright (Rockville , MD) who had seven stops.
ODU will return to action this Saturday, October 11th as they host St. Xavier University at Panther Field. Kick-off is set for 12:30 p.m.
