COLUMBUS, Ohio – Just like riding a bike for the first time in a long time, the Ohio Dominican offense just needed a little time to find its footing.
One week after putting up 591 yards of total offense at Lake Erie College, ODU returned to Panther Field for homecoming weekend as they hosted St. Joseph 's (IN) College. The Panther offense needed a few series to get rolling, but eventually racked up 601 yards in a 45-14 route, the third consecutive win for ODU.
Neither team could move the ball effectively early on in the afternoon affair. ODU was able to tack a 22-yard field goal on the board courtesy of sophomore Chris Vortkamp (Cincinnati, OH) to take the 3-0 first quarter lead.
Following a Panther fumble at their own 29-yard line, the Pumas cashed in with a 1-yard touchdown run from Terrence Freeman early in the second quarter. The 7-3 advantage would be the first and only lead the guests would claim as the Panther defense clamped down on the visitor's attack.
The subsequent ODU drive, a 10-play, 76-yard effort, culminated in a 3-yard pass from Billy Griffin (Sr. /Columbus, OH) to Brian Vollmer (So. /Sagamore Hills, OH) for the score, reclaiming the lead, 10-7. The Panthers would add another touchdown on their next drive as Austin Wallace (So. /Reynoldsburg, OH) ripped through the St. Joseph defense from 45-yards out to give ODU the 17-7 halftime lead. Wallace's 45-yard scamper is the longest of his career and the longest for the Panthers this season.
Ohio Dominican was clicking coming out of the locker room, scoring touchdowns on four of their six second half possessions. Griffin tossed two more touchdowns, a 25-yarder to senior Kyle Reichelderfer (Circleville, OH) in the third quarter, and a 12-yard hook-up with senior Heath Killilea (Gahanna, OH) in the fourth.
The Panther ground attack added to the effort, with Mike Noffsinger (So. /West Branch, MI) plunging in from 8-yards out late in the third quarter, and Tyler Purcell (So. /Franklin, OH) cashing in from 4-yards out in the final stanza.
St. Joseph 's would cap the scoring with just under a minute on the clock with a 13-yard scoring pass from Mike Hladik to Robert Dutton.
Griffin quietly built a solid individual effort, completing 25-of-38 for a career-high 439 yards and three scores. Nine different receivers caught passes from Griffin , led by Vollmer's six receptions for 75 yards. Reichelderfer and Justin Campbell (Sr. /Laurel, MD; pictured) each hauled in four passes, Reichelderfer for a team-high 87 yards and Campbell for 85 yards.
On the ground, the Panthers were paced by Wallace, who rushed 10 times for 81 yards.
Defensively, ODU owned the game by harassing Hladik all afternoon. The Panthers picked off two passes and collected five quarterback sacks. Kyle Sonagere (So. /Hudson, OH) and Eric Dern (Jr. /South Lebanon, OH) paced the defense with nine tackles apiece.
For the Pumas, Hladik finished the day 26-of-40 for 172 yards and a touchdown, while Jashon Banks rushed 14 times for a team-high 60 yards.
Ohio Dominican will have an extra week to prepare for their next opponent, Central State University. The Marauders will come to Panther Field to take on ODU as the Panthers celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, October 24th. ODU will also be commemorating the service of our nation's armed service veterans that afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM.
