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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Following one of the biggest wins in school history, a 43-42 come-from-behind upset over then-No. 22 Hillsdale, Ohio Dominican's football team will try to move above the .500 mark on the season as the Panthers take on Findlay Saturday.
ODU hadn't defeated a ranked opponent since the 2008 campaign and trailed 21-0 early in the second quarter before rallying for the road victory. The 21-point deficit overcome matched the biggest in school history, and the 36 second half points were the most in school history, as was the 22 fourth quarter points.
Down 42-30 with 2:40 left, Ian Smercina forced a Charger fumble that Justin Bell scooped and scored on from 30 yards out to bring the Panthers within five points. The defense forced a three-and-out, putting the offense on the field with 1:53 to go. It took Jeremy Fudge and company just four plays to cover 70 yards, as he completed a pair of passes to Tyler Purcell for 34 yards and covered the other 36 on the ground himself, including a 13-yard TD run that proved to be the game-winning score. Hillsdale moved to the Panther 34-yard line but the defense stopped the Chargers on downs.
Fudge ran for 138 yards and two TDs while also completing 18-of-25 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. Mike Noffsinger ran for 63 yards and threw a 36-yard TD pass to Purcell, who had 121 yards receiving.
Bell earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after registering a career-high 11 tackles (seven solo), a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a pass break up. Eisen Hardy made 11 tackles and Jeff White had nine as the Chargers put the ball on the ground six times, three of which were recovered by the Panthers.
ALL OHIO DOMINICAN FOOTBALL GAMES LIVE ON THE RADIO AND INTERNET
Fans in Central Ohio can listen to Ohio Dominican football LIVE on the radio on 1580 AM (St. Gabriel Radio) and simulcast online everywhere at www.ohiodominicanpanthers.com. This week's broadcast starts at 2:30 p.m. with the Panther Countdown Pregame Show. Veteran broadcaster Todd Bell returns for his fourth year in the booth as the play-by-play announcer and is joined by former Buckeye A.J. Trapasso in the booth, while Dan Long handles the pregame and halftime shows. Live video is also provided FREE for all six home games this season.
THE SERIES
Ohio Dominican notched its first win at the Division II level in the first all-time meeting between the schools, defeating the Oilers 20-10 last year. Mark Markakis set a school record with 20 tackles, and ODU's defense forced three turnovers and had 10 tackles for loss. Tyler Maddox had a TD catch and Jeremy Fudge ran one in, while Chris Vortkamp drilled a pair of field goals as well.
DID YOU KNOW???
>> Ohio Dominican scored 18 offensive touchdowns in 2010 and has 21 this year.
>> ODU's three fumble recoveries against Hillsdale were the most since recovering three against Marian in 2007.
>> The Panthers had 12 200-yard rushing games entering the year and have four in 2011.
>> Brandon Robinson is one catch away from 150 for his career and Tyler Purcell is four receptions from 100.
>> The Panthers have been involved in six onside kicks, plus another nullified on penalty. No other GLIAC school has been involved in more than two.
