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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Following a tough 27-24 setback to Ashland, Ohio Dominican's football team looks to bounce back this week as the Panthers play host to Walsh in a GLIAC South Division contest at Panther Stadium.
Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ohio Dominican (1-2, 1-2 GLIAC) has won all three meetings with the Cavaliers (0-3, 0-3 GLIAC) since Walsh joined the GLIAC in 2012, but the Cavaliers hung tough in all three contests, including a 26-8 Panther victory in Canton last year that saw the Cavaliers rally in the fourth quarter before ODU pulled away.
The Panthers will look to protect the football this week, as ODU has committed seven turnovers the last two weeks. Last season, the Panthers turned the ball over just 15 times in 13 games.
ODU turned it over twice at Ashland, and both led to Eagle touchdowns. The second turnover was especially costly as the Panthers, trailing 20-17, had moved inside the AU red zone to start the second half with a chance to tie or take the lead.
The defense will also look for a turnaround this week as Ashland totaled 494 yards of offense, the most the unit has allowed in a regular season game since Ashland had 556 yards in 2012.
Senior receiver Dez Stewart (Cincinnati, Ohio) caught a career best 11 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also averaged 30.4 yards per kick return. The 11 catches are the most by a Panther since Tyler Purcell had 12 against Ashland in 2011.
Senior receiver Casey Williams (Nashport, Ohio) also set a career high with 10 catches and sophomore running back Darryl Johnson (Mason, Ohio) had a career best 73 yards on the ground, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.
Sophomore quarterback Grant Russell (Newark, Ohio) completed 27-of-40 throws for 269 yards and a score.
Senior defensive back Brad McCurdy (Columbus, Ohio) led the defense with nine tackles and an interception and senior corner Da'Twane Harris (Cleveland, Ohio) made eight tackles. Junior defensive back Marquise Tyus (Lakewood, Ohio) set a school record with a 98 yard interception return for a touchdown.
QUICK HITS
• Since 2006, ODU has an overall record of 72-30 (.706 win percentage.) The Panthers are 26-5 in their last 31 games (.839 win percentage.) ODU has also won 25 of its last 28 regular season games.
• Over the past 31 games, ODU has outscored opponents 1,226-580, an average of 20.8 points per game. The Panthers have scored 30 or more points 23 times in that stretch and held opponents to 14 points or fewer 14 times.
• ODU is 32-6 against opponents from Ohio since 2007 (.842 win percentage.)
• The Panthers are 17-1 in their last 18 GLIAC South Division games and are also 17-1 in their last 18 regular season road games.
• Over the past 38 games, ODU's offensive line has allowed 23 sacks.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
