COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Following a hard-fought setback to No. 9 Wayne State last Saturday, Ohio Dominican's football team looks to bounce back with a contest against Michigan Tech at noon Saturday in Panther Field. The Huskies enter with a 3-1 mark, are receiving votes in the latest AFCA poll and are ranked No. 22 in the D2Football.com poll.
ODU took the Warriors down to the wire on Homecoming night before coming up just short, 31-24. The Panthers battled back three times from deficits to tie the score, including 17-17 in the third quarter. Wayne State tacked on a touchdown late in the third and scored another in the fourth to take a 31-17 lead. ODU scored with seven seconds left but could not come up with the onside kick for a final shot at the end zone.
Mike Noffsinger ran for 100 yards, becoming the first player in school history to reach the century mark in rushing in four straight contests. Jeremy Fudge ran for 64 yards and threw for 107, while Tyler Purcell finished with 69 yards receiving and 23 yards rushing. The Panther offense racked up 213 yards on the ground against a Warrior defense that had limited its opponents to just 60 yards rushing per game.
The defense was paced by Justin Bell and Jeff White, who both recorded 10 tackles. Bell forced one of Wayne State's three fumbles as well. Kevin Guthrie and Eli Kovach both had seven stops for the Panthers defense.
Michigan Tech bounced back from its own loss to Wayne State and defeated Indianapolis 28-16 last week. The Huskies limited Indy to just 18 yards rushing (0.8 per carry), while quarterback Tyler Scarlett completed 16-of-19 passes for 178 yards and two scores.
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 11:30 a.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
Michigan Tech took the first all-time meeting between the two teams last by a 45-6 score last season. The Huskies outgained ODU 428-170 and forced two turnovers. Jeremy Fudge threw for 130 yards and a touchdown, Brandon Robinson had 59 yards receiving and Dan Grimsley had nine tackles to pace the Panthers. The Huskies did not punt in the game.
TOUGH SLEDDING
The Panthers are in the midst of the hardest part of their schedule. Ferris State, Wayne State, Michigan Tech and Hillsdale are a combined 13-3 (.813 winning percentage), and all four opponents have either been ranked in the Top 25 or received votes this season.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
