CANTON, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's defense limited Walsh to 212 total yards and had three takeaways as the ninth-ranked football team defeated Walsh 26-8 in GLIAC play Saturday afternoon at Fawcett Stadium.

The win extended ODU's regular season win streak to 19 straight games as the Panthers moved to 4-0 (4-0 GLIAC) on the season.

The defense held Walsh to 76 yards and shut them out through the first three quarters, then held off a late charge by the Cavaliers as junior Billy Eakins (Pickerington, Ohio) had an interception in the back of the end zone with the Panthers holding on to a 19-8 lead midway through the fourth.

Senior Mark Miller (Cincinnati, Ohio) then hooked up with freshman JT McFarland (Zanesville, Ohio) behind the Cavalier defense for a 51 yard gain to the Cavalier two, and junior Brandon Schoen (Lewis Center, Ohio) scored on the next play to put the game away with 5:17 left.

ODU had a 444-212 edge in total yards and possessed the ball for 37:22. The Panthers held Walsh to just 2-of-13 on third downs and limited the Cavaliers to just 3.5 yards per play.

The Panthers jumped to a quick start. Junior DeWayne Clemmons (Indianapolis, Ind.) intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards to the Walsh 28, setting up ODU's first score. Facing third-and-six at the 24, Miller drew the Walsh defense offsides and threw a jump ball to the right corner of the end zone that junior Jerad Butler (Nevada, Ohio) hauled in for a touchdown reception.

ODU bumped its lead to 10-0 moments into the second quarter as junior Brent Wahle (Pataskala, Ohio) connected on a 39 yard field goal to cap off a 13 play drive. Another lengthy drive later in the quarter also resulted in a Wahle field goal – this one from 25 yards – to make it 13-0 with just under three minutes left in the period.

The Panthers limited Walsh to just 69 yards of offense and six first downs in the first half.

ODU marched down the field on its opening possession of the second half, settling for a 27 yard field goal from Wahle to extend the lead to 16-0 with 8:15 to play in the third quarter.

Wahle knocked in his fourth field goal of the afternoon with a 26 yard make early in the fourth quarter to make it 19-0 in favor of the Panthers.

A 24 yard touchdown pass by the Cavaliers, combined with a successful two point conversion, made the score 19-8, and a pooch onside kick gave the home team the ball back with just over seven minutes remaining before the Eakins interception.

Junior Austin Osborne (Jackson, Ohio) had six tackles (2.0 for loss) and a sack to lead the defense, while Eakins and junior Warren Shields (Richwood, Ohio) each made five stops and broke up two passes.

Miller finished 22-of-33 passing for 276 yards and the touchdown. Senior Nick McKnight (Middletown, Ohio) had a career high five receptions for 58 yards and McFarland finished with four grabs for 75 yards. He had just one catch for three yards entering today's game. Also setting a career best in the passing game was Butler, with four grabs for 50 yards and the score.

Schoen tallied 143 yards on 36 carries, a new school record for rushing attempts.

Ohio Dominican returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lake Erie.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu