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COLUMBUS, Ohio – After getting back on track with a 34-21 win at Findlay, Ohio Dominican's football team returns home to take on Alderson Broaddus Saturday in the annual Homecoming and Hall of Fame game.
ODU led virtually wire-to-wire against the Oilers, limiting the hosts to just 158 yards of offense in the first half while building a 21-7 lead. The Panthers controlled the field position game early, with an average first half drive start on their own 40, while the Oilers average drive start was their own 19 in the first half.
Redshirt freshman Evan Ernst (Mason, Ohio) made his first collegiate start one to remember, completing 75 percent of his passes (21-of-28) for 309 yards and two scores. His yardage total was the second-most by a Panther quarterback in his first start, trailing just current offensive coordinator Cris Reisert (355 yards against Urbana, 2005.)
His top target was senior Cory Contini (Dover, Ohio), who has now caught a touchdown in 11 straight games after his 63-yard score on the offense's third play. Contini finished with six grabs for 97 yards. Sophomore Devanaire Conliffe (Willoughby, Ohio) had four catches for 82 yards and junior David Turner (Fort Wayne, Ind.) added five grabs for 62 yards.
Junior EJ Colson (Middletown, Ohio) maintained his spot atop the G-MAC rushing category as he ran for 117 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown gallop. Colson has 100 or more rushing yards in seven of the nine G-MAC games he's played.
ODU's defense was terrific throughout. Findlay had not allowed a sack in the first three games of the season, but the Panthers came away with four sacks and also picked off three passes. Nick Isaacs (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a career-high two sacks and three tackles for loss and Ross Thompson (Delphos, Ohio) picked up G-MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors with his 14 tackles and a sack.
Alessio Amato (Zanesville, Ohio), Jayden Davis (Springfield, Ohio) and Tawain Gordon (Pickerington, Ohio) each had interceptions for the Panthers, who have now picked off nine passes in four games. ODU leads the G-MAC and ranks seventh in the country with 12 takeaways, and the nine picks are third nationally.
The Panthers continue to lead the country in punting as sophomore Logen Neidhardt (Hicksville, Ohio) averaged 41.6 yards per punt and pinned the Oilers at their six and 12-yard lines.
Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu
