BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Ohio Dominican couldn't generate much offense in the second and third quarters as No. 4 Ferris State pulled away in a 38-17 setback at Top Taggart Field in GLIAC play Saturday afternoon.

ODU (4-3, 4-3 GLIAC) managed just 240 yards on the day as Ferris State scored 24 unanswered points in the middle quarters to remain unbeaten on the season (6-0, 6-0 GLIAC).

Ferris scored a touchdown on its opening drive, but the Panthers were able to respond quickly. A 39 yard pass play to senior Dez Stewart (Cincinnati, Ohio) set up ODU deep in Ferris territory, and the Panthers scored two plays later as senior Casey Williams (Nashport, Ohio) fell on a fumble in the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:51 left in the quarter.

The Bulldogs threatened to score on their next possession, but junior O'Sha Jackson (Warren, Ohio) recovered a fumble at the ODU 10 yard line to stop the drive.

The rest of the quarter remained scoreless, but Ferris scored 17 points in the second period, including a touchdown with 20 seconds left, to take a 24-7 lead at the break. Ferris then tacked on another score in third quarter to go in front 31-7.

Senior Brent Wahle (Pataskala, Ohio) sank a 31 yard field goal early in the fourth to tie Gregg Berkshire's record of 53 made field goals in GLIAC games. Overall, he's made 60 field goals in his career and has hit 23 of his last 25 attempts.

ODU cut it to 31-17 midway through the fourth quarter on a 17 yard touchdown toss from sophomore Grant Russell (Newark, Ohio) to sophomore JT McFarland (Zanesville, Ohio), but the Bulldogs countered with a score of their own to put the game away.

Senior Brad McCurdy (Columbus, Ohio) set a career high with 12 tackles (2.0 tackles for loss), as did Jackson. Senior Austin Osborne (Jackson, Ohio) made 11 tackles and Demetrius Farmer (Dover, Ohio) tied a personal best with seven tackles while also making 2.0 tackles for loss.

Stewart caught six passes for 73 yards and moved into second place on ODU's all-time receiving list with 2,705 yards. He is 37 yards away from breaking Jared Stace's record of 2,741 receiving yards.

McFarland caught seven passes for 50 yards and sophomore Darryl Johnson (Mason, Ohio) tallied 49 yards on the ground.

Ohio Dominican remains on the road for a non-conference game at Quincy at 1 p.m. (CT) next Saturday.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu