COLUMBUS , Ohio – After having their regular season win streak end at 16 games last week at the hands of visiting Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the #9 Ohio Dominican University football team looked to start a new streak as they welcomed McKendree University to Panther Field on Saturday for the annual ODU homecoming game. The Panthers dominated each side of the ball as they thrashed the Bearcats, 59-0, in front of a capacity crowd.
ODU got off to a rousing start and never looked back as they rattled off 21 points in each of the first two quarters. Sophomore running back Christen Haywood (Hilliard, OH) got things rolling as he scampered in the end zone from four yards out on the Panthers' first drive. Haywood would add another touchdown run late in the second quarter and a 71-yard scoring reception just before the half to record three scores on the afternoon.
Ohio Dominican's second drive, a seven-play, 65-yard effort, culminated with an 18-yard touchdown run on an end-around play by senior wide receiver Josh Smart (Englewood , OH) to put the home team up 14-0. The Panthers would end the first quarter as quarterback Cris Reisert (Cincinnati , OH; pictured) hooked up with tight end Evan Stahl (Strongsville , OH) for the touchdown from two yards out.
After the Panther defense forced the Bearcats to a three-and-out to open the second quarter, the ODU offense began their opening drive of the quarter at their own 32-yard line. Two plays later, Reisert hit Smart on a screen pass and Smart weaved his way through some tremendous blocks by his teammates as he sprinted 57 yards for the touchdown and the 28-0 lead.
McKendree's most sustained drive of the game came on their ensuing possession as they drove 44 yards in ten plays and took nearly 12 minutes off the clock. But the effort for their first points of the day was all for naught as kicker Kevin Kinsall's field goal attempt from 43 yards out was deflected by ODU defensive lineman Fred Reeves (Cleveland, OH) and fluttered to the ground short of the goal line.
Having staked their claim to a 42-point lead at the break, Reisert & Company looked to put the game out of reach to open the second half. After beginning at their own 20 and achieving a first down, Reisert again found Smart, this time on a 50-yard bomb to push the Dominican advantage to 49-0. The Panthers added a 30-yard field goal from junior Mitch Croy (Ottawa , OH) later in the quarter to surpass the half-century mark.
At that point, the Panthers called off the dogs and allowed the reserves to get some well-deserved playing time. ODU would add one more score early in the fourth quarter as redshirt freshman Austin Wallace (Reynoldsburg , OH) plowed into the end zone from five yards out to round out the scoring.
It was a total team effort in the decisive victory for ODU. The Panthers collected a total of 29 first downs in the game compared to just eight for McKendree. The Dominican defense harassed the Bearcat passers all day, allowing just 28 yards through the air and a total of just 193 offensive yards. The shutout of the Bearcats was the first shutout suffered by McKendree since the 1996 season.
Offensively, the Panthers returned to form after being handcuffed last week. ODU rolled up a total of 580 yards of offensive, led again by Reisert. The senior signal caller completed his first 18 pass attempts of the game, a new MSFA record for successive completions. He established a new school record for highest completion percentage in a game with 91.4% (32-of-35). Reisert collected 396 yards through the air and four scoring strikes. His favorite target was Smart, who hauled in nine passes for 173 yards and two scores.
Haywood led the ground attack for ODU, rushing 12 times for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The win moves Ohio Dominican to 3-1 on the season, while McKendree drops to 1-2. The Panthers move their winning streak against regular season NAIA opponents to 16 consecutive games, dating back to the 2006 season.
Awaiting the Panthers next week is the #4 University of St. Francis (IN) as the two teams resume their conference schedules. After last season's 30-20 Panther victory, the battle with the host Cougars promises to be a fierce battle for the early upper-hand in the battle for MSFA supremacy. Kickoff in Fort Wayne , Indiana , is scheduled for high noon.
