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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Dominican's football team seeks its third-straight victory as the Panthers play host to Tiffin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Panther Field.
After starting the 2012 season with a 3-3 record, with all three losses coming against Top-25 opponents, ODU has bounced back with convincing road victories over Findlay (63-31) and Notre Dame (45-7). The offense is averaging 531.5 yards over the past two contests, including 299.0 on the ground, and has surpassed 500 yards in five of the past games. ODU's offense is ranked 15th nationally in scoring (39.8 points per game) and 14th in rushing (233.3 yards per game).
The defense, meanwhile, authored arguably its best stretch of football in 2012. Between the second half of the win at Findlay and the final two minutes at Notre Dame, ODU's defense pitched shutout football, spanning over 91 minutes of game action.
The Panthers broke free from a 7-0 halftime lead at Notre Dame with a 31-point explosion in the third quarter, matching the highest scoring quarter in ODU history. ODU outgained the Falcons 258-33 in the frame as Brandon Schoen (Olentangy, Ohio), Andy Mick (Hamilton, Ohio), Mark Nichols (Pataskala, Ohio) and Ronald McCloud (Cleveland, Ohio) each found the end zone, while Billy Eakins (Pickerington, Ohio) had a diving interception to set up one scoring drive.
Schoen became the second back in ODU history with five straight 100-yard rushing games, finishing with 119 on 19 carries and two TDs, while Dez Stewart (Cleveland, Ohio) had career-bests in receptions (five) and yards (143). Mark Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio), the nation's 15th rated passer, completed 14-of-21 throws for 235 yards and two scores.
Justin Bell (Groveport, Ohio) paced the defense with his nine tackles, while Eisen Hardy (Pickerington, Ohio) finished with eight and two pass break ups. Ben Patterson (Parma, Ohio) had career-bests in tackles (six) and tackles for loss (2.0). ODU held Notre Dame 183 yards below its season average.
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 820 AM (St. Gabriel Radio) and simulcast online everywhere at www.pressboxproductions.net. This week's broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. with the Panther Countdown Pregame Show. Veteran broadcaster Todd Bell returns for his fifth year in the booth as the play-by-play announcer and is joined by Matt Natali in the booth, while Scott Grady handles the pregame and halftime shows. Live video is also provided FREE for all six home games this season.
THE SERIES
Ohio Dominican has won the last three meetings between the two teams and leads the series 3-2. This will be the third matchup with both teams as members of the GLIAC.
The Panthers came away with a 62-7 victory last year at Panther Field. ODU finished with 480 yards of offense, throwing for 204 yards and four touchdowns on just nine pass attempts, the fewest in school history. Mike Noffsinger had 136 yards rushing and Tyler Purcell had 130 yards in the air. ODU's defense held Tiffin to 232 yards, including -17 rushing yards, the fewest allowed in school history.
DID YOU KNOW????
>> ODU is 18-5 against opponents from Ohio since 2007.
>> 32 of ODU's 41 touchdowns have been scored by freshmen or sophomores.
>> The Panthers have won six of their past seven home games.
>> The Panthers have nine one-play scoring drives this season.
>> Tajuan Green (Columbus, Ohio) leads the GLIAC with 12.5 yards of offense per play.
>> Eakins is the only player in the GLIAC with three interceptions and two fumbles forced.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
