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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Dominican's football team will take on its third top-25 opponent of the season this Saturday when the Panthers play host to ninth-ranked Ashland at 1 p.m. at Panther Field.
This weekend's slate of games has been designated as "Rivalry Week" by the GLIAC, and this showdown features two South Division schools that are just 80 miles apart on I-71.
ODU will have the benefit of playing at home for this matchup after suffering a 38-20 defeat at No. 25 Hillsdale in week two and a 46-41 setback to No. 4 Grand Valley in week four. The Panthers enter Saturday's matchup following their 24-13 Homecoming victory over Walsh last week. ODU racked up over 500 yards of offense for a third straight game – a first for the program since 2009 – but committed three turnovers and also had a turnover on downs in the red zone.
Freshman running back Brandon Schoen (Olentangy, Ohio) continued his fast start to the season as he ran for another 139 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Mark Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio) threw for 240 yards and a score and ran for another, and sophomore wideout Abe Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) had his first career 100-yard game as he tallied career-highs in catches (seven) and yards (128).
The defense pitched a shutout in the first half but did give up two long passing plays in the second half that led to Walsh's points. Still, the Panthers limited Walsh to just 44 yards rushing on 25 carries, and limited the Cavaliers to 11 first downs and just 4-of-12 third down conversions.
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 12:30 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
This is the third meeting between ODU and Ashland, with the series split at a game apiece. The Panthers won a thrilling 20-17 decision at Ashland last season, scoring the final 10 points of the second half and running the final six minutes off the clock to prevent Ashland from making a comeback.
Jeremy Fudge threw for 192 yards and two scores, Chris Vortkamp hit field goals of 47 and 33 yards, and Cody Culbertson made 11 tackles. ODU held Ashland to 75 yards rushing in the win.
DID YOU KNOW?????
>> ODU is 16-4 against opponents from Ohio since 2007.
>> 157 of Ohio Dominican's 189 points scored this season have been scored by freshmen or sophomores.
>> This is the third straight season a team ranked No. 9 nationally has come to Panther Field (Hillsdale, 2010; Wayne State, 2011.) ODU is 2-9 all-time against teams ranked in the top-10.
>> ODU has won six straight home games, outscoring foes 266-89 in that stretch.
>> The Panthers have six one-play scoring drives this season.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
