COLUMBUS, Ohio - For the first time in the 2023 season, the Ohio Dominican Panthers football team will play in the friendly confines of Panther Stadium as they host the Winston-Salem State Rams on Saturday (Sept. 9).
GAME DAY INFORMATION
OPENING KICKOFF
- ODU fell 23-21 at Notre Dame College in Week 1, a battle of two teams receiving votes in the AFCA Preseason Poll.
- Jake Byrd (Fort Wayne, Indiana) completed 14-of-26 passes for 121 yards as Drew Gallehue (Edon, Ohio) went 5-of-9 in relief with 79 yards and a passing touchdown.
- Jonzell Norrils (Toledo, Ohio) got a 70-yard TD run, finishing with 102 yards on ten carries.
- Travis Whittaker (Gahanna, Ohio) opened the scoring a 23-yard TD - his 15th career score.
- Jayden Cornell (Kenton, Ohio) caught his first career touchdown, a 28-yard score as he led ODU with five catches for 64 yards.
- Ty Wiley (Pickerington, Ohio), Cobe Marquez (Waverly, Ohio) and Zach Bartrum (Meigs County, Ohio) all had three catches. Wiley totaled 48 yards with Marquez and Bartrum having 29 and 26 yards, respectively.
- Michael Powers (West Mansfield, Ohio) was named Great Midwest Defensive Player of the Week after 14 tackles, a sack and two TFL.
- This will be the 2nd ever meeting between the Panthers and a CIAA team. ODU hosted Virginia State in 2021, a 10-7 win for the Panthers.
- The Panthers is now 13-7 record in Week 1 lidlifters after the Week 1 setback.
- Following an opening week loss, Ohio Dominican has rebounded with a Week 2 win three of the six times.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
- 3 - Ohio Dominican had three sacks in Week 1 (M. Powers, Dimitri Mitsopoulos (Toledo, Ohio) and Brady Blattner (Cumberland, Ohio)).
- 11 - ODU is 11-8 in Week 2 games throughout the history of the program.
- 13 - The Panthers have a 13-6 record in home openers. This will be the 20th home opener in program history.
- 14 - Following a loss under Kelly Cummings (excluding season finales), ODU has won the next week 14 of 16 times.
WINSTON-SALEM STATE AT A GLANCE
- Winston-Salem State started the 2023 season on the road last week, facing the North Carolina Central Eagles of the Football Championship Subdivision - MEAC. The Rams fell 47-21 against the defending HBCU National Champions.
- Winston-Salem State trailed 37-0 at halftime to NC Central before scoring 21 points in the second half, compared to ten for the Eagles. Overall, the Eagles outgained the Rams 450-312 with NCCU winning the passing and rushing categories.
- Winston-Salem State averages 21.0 points scored, 123.0 rushing yards, and 189.0 passing yards per game on offense. The Rams allowed 47.0 points, 173.0 rushing yards and 277.0 passing yards per contest. Overall on offense, the Rams sit 6th in total offense, passing and in rushing along with 7th in scoring. For the defense, WSSU is 9th in rushing and 11th in scoring, passing and total defense.
- The team is converting 31% of their third down conversions while giving up 64% of opponent third downs.
- Robert Massey enters his 4th season (5th year - no 2020 season due to COVID-19) at the helm of the Rams. He spent two seasons at Livingstone as HC (2-18 record) and four at Shaw (14-26 record) before coming to Winston-Salem State. In three full seasons, he has had two seasons of three wins and one four-win season.
- In the 2023 CIAA Preseason Poll, Winston-Salem State was voted to finish fourth in the Southern Division and seventh among the full field of 12 conference teams.
- Winston-Salem State finished the 2022 season with a 3-6 overall record and a 3-4 CIAA mark. After an 0-5 start, the Rams rebounded with three wins in the final four games.
- Daylin Lee, a freshman QB, was 14-of-24 in his first game under center. Lee passed for 189 yards and one touchdown. He added a rushing touchdown and 11 yards on the ground.
- JahTwan Strafford led the Rams with 52 yards on four carries in the opening contest. Trevon Hester (5 carries, 27 yards) and Asa Barnes (8 carries, 22 yards) added to the rushing attack with Hester scoring a touchdown.
- RJ Mobley caught seven passes for 113 yards, sitting third in the CIAA.
- Dante Bowlding is the leading tackler for WSSU with nine tackles.
- Camar Kyle had 2.5 tackles for loss to go with his eight stops on defense.
- Josiah Alexander caught the lone Rams interception in Week 1.
SERIES HISTORY
- The Panthers and the Rams are meeting for the first time in the 20th season of ODU football.
