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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following two convincing victories, Ohio Dominican's football team will look to keep its momentum rolling on the road this week as the Panthers travel to Michigan for a 7 p.m. game at Saginaw Valley State.
This will be the first time Ohio Dominican (6-3, 5-3 GLIAC) has played at Saginaw Valley (1-8, 1-7 GLIAC). Last year, the Panthers defeated the Cardinals 38-14 in Columbus.
ODU is coming off a 73-28 win at Quincy in week eight and a 48-14 win over Northwood last week, an average margin of victory of 39.5 points. The Panthers are averaging 546.5 yards per game over the last two weeks, including 358.5 yards passing. Sophomore quarterback Grant Russell has completed 41-of-56 (73.2 percent) throws in those two games for 644 yards and five touchdowns.
ODU also has nine rushing touchdowns in the two games, seven coming from sophomore Darryl Johnson. He has 12 rushing touchdowns this year, two shy of matching ODU's single-season record.
Senior Dez Stewart has led the receiving corps with consecutive 100 yard games, including a 178 yard performance against Northwood that is tied for the third-most yards in a game in ODU history.
The defense has also done its part, particularly in the last six quarters. The Panthers held Quincy to 85 yards in the second half, then limited Northwood to 301 total yards, including just 105 yards passing. It's the sixth time this year an opponent has been held under 200 yards passing.
ODU held Northwood to just 2-of-12 on third downs, forced eight punts and created a pair of turnovers. The defense has created 20 turnovers in nine games this fall.
It's a balanced effort defensively, as 12 players have recorded 27 or more tackles this season. Brad McCurdy leads the way with 68 tackles and is tied for the GLIAC lead with four picks, while Austin Osborne has made 52 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss.
QUICK HITS
• Since 2006, ODU has an overall record of 77-31 (.713 win percentage.) The Panthers are 31-6 in their last 37 games (.837 win percentage.) ODU has also won 30 of its last 34 regular season games (.882).
• Over the past 37 games, ODU has outscored opponents 1,465-725, an average of 20.0 points per game. The Panthers have scored 30 or more points 27 times in that stretch and held opponents to 14 points or fewer 16 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 33 consecutive games against unranked opponents. The last loss came on Oct. 15, 2011 at Findlay.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
