FULL RELEASE IN PDF
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In its second season of play at the Division II level, Ohio Dominican's football team will try to extend its winning streak to three in a row as the Panthers travel to Big Rapids, Mich., for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Ferris State.
ODU has had just one 3-0 start to a season in program history, coming in 2007 when the Panthers won their first 12 contests en route to a berth in the NAIA National Quarterfinals.
Last week, the Panthers bounced back from an early turnover and Northwood touchdown to record a 44-30 road win over the Timberwolves. ODU raced out to a 37-14 lead early in the fourth quarter and held on for the victory. The Panthers outgained NU 354-100 through three quarters and had a 20-6 edge in first downs, running 64 plays to Northwood's 39 and converting 8-of-11 third downs. Overall, ODU finished with 271 yards rushing, the second best total in school history, and amassed 443 yards of offense.
Mike Noffsinger had 169 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries and was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Dan Grimsley finished with six tackles (four for loss), Garrett Wilcox had a sack and a safety for the second consecutive week, and Tyler Purcell blocked a punt to set up an ODU touchdown. Chris Vortkamp averaged 54.5 yards on his two punts as well.
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 6:30 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.
THE SERIES
Ferris State leads the all-time series 1-0 after holding on for a 34-28 victory at Panther Field in 2010. The Bulldogs led 28-6 in the third quarter before a pair of ODU rallies cut the deficit to six with 4:15 to go. ODU had a pair of chances to tie it after that point but could not capitalize on good field position. Jeff White and Kevin Guthrie both had 12 tackles to lead the Panther defense, Mike Noffsinger ran for 50 yards and Tyler Purcell and Tyler Maddox both had six catches.
DID YOU KNOW?
>> ODU registered its first win both in Michigan (1-2) and against a Michigan opponent (1-5) last week against Northwood.
>> This is ODU's first road night game in school history. The Panthers are 1-2 in home games under the lights.
>> ODU has outscored its opponents 44-14 in the second and third quarters this season.
>> The campuses of ODU and Ferris State are 377 miles apart. This is the longest road trip of the season for the Panthers.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
