COLUMBUS, Ohio – It was a game fitting of the date. With a combined ten turnovers and 26 penalties, it was ultimately the Ohio Dominican defense that proved to be the difference as the Panthers won their 5th in a row on Halloween at Urbana University Stadium.
The game opened up in bizarre fashion as Urbana (4-5) took the opening kickoff and marched into Ohio Dominican (6-2) territory. A 28-yard pass completion from David Gerber to Tarique Kalimullah resulted in a fumble at the five that was recovered by safety Brian Babcock (Jr. /Napoleon, OH). But his momentum carried him into the end zone, resulting in a safety, giving the Blue Knights a rare 2-0 lead early in the first quarter.
ODU couldn't take advantage of two first quarter interceptions by Jeff White (R-Fr. /Gahanna, OH) and Rashawn Newell (Jr. /Euclid, OH), the second of which ended in a missed Ohio Dominican field goal. Urbana would remain ahead, but the third interception of the half by Gerber, this time by Tyler Hanks (R-Fr. /San Marcos, CA; pictured), set up the Panthers at the Blue Knights 7-yard line. Ohio Dominican cashed in on the short field when Billy Griffin (Jr. /Columbus, OH) found Kyle Reichelderfer (Sr. /Cricleville, OH) on a 6-yard strike with 9:34 remaining in the first half to put ODU on top 7-2.
Urbana would respond on the next possession when they marched 57-yards in seven plays. Nigel Smith would finish the drive with a 14-yard run at the 5:51 mark. But the Panthers put together its best drive of the game answering the Blue Knights score. Griffin would find the end zone on a 1-yard scramble ending an 11-play, 82-yard drive and Ohio Dominican held a 14-9 halftime lead.
Urbana would inch closer late in the third quarter thanks to an ODU fumble on a fourth down play. The Blue Knights took over at their own 38 yard line and 13-plays later Matt Hausheer booted a 21 yard field goal to pull Urbana to within 14-12. But the quick strike Panther offense needed only 5-plays to go 64 yards for the games final score. Griffin hit Brandon Robinson (So. /Eaton, OH) in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown pass of the game and Ohio Dominican led 21-12 after three quarters.
From their the Panthers defense did the job, allowing only 50-yards and three first downs in the final quarter, finishing the day with Hanks second interception, and the Panthers fourth of the day. Overall the defense forced a season high five turnovers and held the Blue Knights to just 10-points on the day.
Ohio Dominican overcame a season high five turnovers of their own. Griffin finished 19-of-35 for 207 yards passing and two touchdowns. The running game garnered only 87 yards on the day. Mark Nichols (R-Fr. /Pataskala, OH) led the way with 30 yards on six carries. Robinson was the Panthers leading receiver with 69-yards on three catches.
Ohio Dominican will play the second of its three straight road games to finish the season as they will travel to Connecticut and take on NCAA Division-II New Haven (5-4) Saturday, November 7th. Game time is for noon in the first ever meeting with the Chargers.
