ASHLAND, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's football team fell by a 27-24 score for a second straight week to a ranked opponent, this time losing on the road to No. 19 Ashland on Saturday night in GLIAC play.

The Panthers (No. 17 AFCA/No. 14 D2Football.com) also fell 27-24 at home to Grand Valley State a week ago and dropped to 1-2 (1-2 GLIAC), while the Eagles improved to 3-0 (3-0 GLIAC).

ODU trailed 27-17 late in the third quarter and Ashland threatened to score again, moving inside the Panther five yard line, but a deflected pass wound up in the hands of junior Marquise Tyus (Lakewood, Ohio). Tyus was off to the races down the Panther sideline and scored on a 98 yard return, the longest in school history, to make it 27-24.

In the fourth quarter, Ashland missed a field goal and ODU moved to the Eagle 43 yard line before having to punt. The Panther defense forced another punt, and ODU took over on its own 21 yard line with 4:37 left.

The Panthers picked up two first downs to their own 42, but a sack stalled the drive and ODU would turn it over downs with 1:01 left. Ashland ran out all but the last three seconds and ODU could not get a final offensive play away.

ODU had 77 offensive plays to 61 for Ashland, but the Eagles outgained the Panthers 494-361. Turnovers again hurt the Panthers as they coughed it up twice after committing five a week ago against Grand Valley.

Senior Dez Stewart (Cincinnati, Ohio) caught a career-high 11 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown and Casey Williams (Nashport, Ohio) had a career-best 10 grabs for 68 yards.

Darryl Johnson (Mason, Ohio) had a career-high 73 yards on the ground, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, and Grant Russell (Newark, Ohio) completed 27-of-40 throws for 269 yards.

ODU fell behind early and was forced to play catch up the entire night. Ashland scored on a 44 yard passing play on its first drive to take a 7-0 lead two and a half minutes into the game.

Following a nice kick return by Stewart, senior Brent Wahle (Pataskala, Ohio) hit a 30 yard field goal to cap a scoring drive to cut it to 7-3 with 9:15 to play in the quarter.

Ashland responded with another length scoring drive to go in front 13-3, but Stewart caught a 50 yard touchdown pass late in the frame to make it 13-10 heading into the second quarter.

Ashland extended its lead to two possessions again on a touchdown run early in the second quarter, but after a Brad McCurdy (Columbus, Ohio) interception, the Panthers cut the halftime deficit to 20-17. Russell plunged forward from the one yard line on fourth and goal for a score with 2:31 left.

The Panthers got the ball back late in the quarter and moved inside Ashland territory but was forced to punt, and ODU put together a nice drive to start the third quarter that ended on an Ashland interception at the Eagle six yard line.

Ashland then regained a two-score lead as it moved 94 yards in just five plays to go in front 27-17 with 9:38 to play in the quarter.

McCurdy led the defense with nine tackles, senior Da'Twane Harris (Cleveland, Ohio) finished with eight tackles, and freshman Ross Thompson (Delphos, Ohio) made six stops to lead the defense.

Ohio Dominican returns home to host Walsh at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Panther Stadium.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu