FULL RELEASE IN PDF | INSIDE PANTHER FOOTBALL PODCAST
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's football team returns home to resume GLIAC play as ODU welcomes visiting Northwood to Columbus for the first time since 2010 in a 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Panther Stadium.
That Sept. 11, 2010 contest - a 28-12 Northwood win - marked ODU's first game as a member of the GLIAC and in NCAA Division II.
The Panthers (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC) will look to build off one of their most complete efforts of the season, a 73-28 win at Quincy last week. ODU set a school record in single-game scoring, sophomore running back Darryl Johnson (Mason, Ohio) was named the GLIAC Player of the Week after scoring six touchdowns, and senior Dez Stewart (Cincinnati, Ohio) broke ODU's all-time receiving record in the win as well.
ODU racked up 582 yards of total offense and converted 9-of-13 third downs (69.2 percent) in the game, being forced to punt just one time. That's the best third down conversion rate for ODU since also going 9-of-13 against Lake Erie in a 62-21 win on Nov. 9, 2013.
The Panthers scored on the game's first nine possessions and averaged 8.0 yards per play. Johnson ran for 107 yards and a school-record five scores while also catching a 39 yard touchdown. Grant Russell (Newark, Ohio) completed 19-of-24 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns, and four different receivers caught a touchdown, led by Stewart (nine catches, 108 yards).
The defense also did its part, holding Quincy to just 85 yards in the second half and forcing five turnovers (four interceptions, one fumble). The Hawks reached the red zone just once while converting just 6-of-15 third downs and 2-of-5 fourth downs.
Junior O'Sha Jackson (Warren, Ohio) led the way with eight tackles and three interceptions. He tied ODU's single-game interception record. Freshman Brian Hunter (Mayfield, Ohio) made eight tackles and senior Brad McCurdy (Columbus, Ohio) totaled seven stops with an interception, tying classmate Billy Eakins (Pickerington, Ohio) for the school record with 11 career interceptions.
Northwood comes into Saturday's game with a 4-4 record (4-3 GLIAC) after earning a 21-14 rivalry win over Saginaw Valley. The Timberwolves had a 408-290 edge in total yards and recorded four sacks to hold off the Cardinals.
QUICK HITS
• Since 2006, ODU has an overall record of 76-31 (.710 win percentage.) The Panthers are 30-6 in their last 35 games (.833 win percentage.) ODU has also won 29 of its last 33 regular season games (.879).
• Over the past 36 games, ODU has outscored opponents 1,417-711, an average of 19.6 points per game. The Panthers have scored 30 or more points 26 times in that stretch and held opponents to 14 points or fewer 15 times.
• ODU is 34-6 against opponents from Ohio since 2007 (.850 win percentage.)
• The Panthers are 19-1 in their last 20 GLIAC South Division games (.950) and are also 18-2 in their last 20 regular season road games (.900).
• ODU has won 32 consecutive games against unranked opponents. The last loss came on Oct. 15, 2011 at Findlay.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
