COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Junior running back Mike Noffsinger (West Branch, Mich.) rushed for 154 yards and returned a blocked kick for a touchdown, and sophomore Kevin Guthrie (Gahanna, Ohio) made a game-high 15 tackles, but Ohio Dominican's football team fell 28-12 to visiting Northwood (Mich.) in the 2010 season opener Saturday at Panther Field.

Northwood outgained the Panthers 425-286 and rushed for 300 yards out of its wishbone offense. The Panthers churned out 177 yards on the ground as sophomore Mark Nichols (Pataskala, Ohio) chipped in with 41 yards on just six carries. Senior quarterback Billy Griffin (Columbus, Ohio) tossed for 109 yards, with junior wide receiver Tyler Purcell (Franklin, Ohio) leading the Panther receiving corps with six catches and 79 yards.

The 154 yards by Noffsinger (pictured) were the second-most in school history, trailing just Marcus Roberts, who rushed for 219 on Nov. 12, 2005 against Taylor.

In addition to Guthrie's 15 tackles, senior linebackers Manju Jabbie (Westerville, Ohio) and Miguel Davis (Baltimore, Md.) both made nine stops, while senior defensive end Jake Kuhn (Pataskala, Ohio) had six tackles and a sack to pace the Panthers defense.

The Panthers had a scoring threat thwarted on their first possession, as Noffsinger's 41-yard scamper down the far sideline set ODU deep inside Northwood territory before a fumble ended the drive on the Northwood seven.

The Timberwolves marched down the field in quick fashion, with Jimmy Parsons' 66-yard run setting up a four-yard touchdown rush by Jordan Jonker to make it 7-0 Timberwolves five minutes into the contest.

Later in the quarter, ODU scored its lone touchdown of the game as Mark Markakis came through the line to block a Northwood punt, which Noffsinger scooped up and rumbled into the end zone to make it 7-6. The Panther extra point attempt failed.

Freshman Brice Everett's interception and 13 yard return on Northwood's ensuing possession put ODU deep into Timberwolf territory, and junior kicker Chris Vortkamp (Cincinnati, Ohio) booted his first field goal of the season from 36 yards to give the Panthers a 9-7 lead 11 seconds into the second quarter.

Northwood tried to move the ball through the air on its next series, but again ODU's secondary made a big play as sophomore corner Eisen Hardy (Pickerington, Ohio) intercepted Aaron Shavers' pass at the Panther five yard line. The Panthers embarked on a 16 play, 92 yard drive that included another big run from Noffsinger – this one accounting for 29 yards – before stalling at Northwood's goal line. Vortkamp's second field goal of the day, from 20 yards out, put ODU in front 12-7 with 2:37 to go before halftime.

However, that would be the Panthers' final lead of the day. After a 35-yard kick return, Shavers hooked up with Quillan Mathis on a 36-yard touchdown pass to put Northwood back in front, 14-12, at intermission.

The Panthers hurt themselves in the third quarter as a blocked punt set up Northwood's third score. The Timberwolves took over on ODU's 12 and Joe Bitterman scored on the next play to make it 21-12 with 1:50 left in the quarter. Northwood then put the game away on a pass from Shavers to Mathis, who went the distance for a 58-yard touchdown.

Ohio Dominican remains at home next week, as the Panthers play host to Ferris State at noon at Panther Field.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu