Otterbein, 7-2 overall, dropped to 6-2 in the OAC and shares second place with 17th-ranked Ohio Northern (7-2, 6-2), who defeated 13th-ranked Capital, 31-21, today in Bexley. The Purple Raiders improved to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.

Mount Union scored on its first six possessions, building a 41-0 lead by the end of the first half.

The Cardinals, sluggish in the early going, gained just 17 yards of offense in the first quarter despite the return of sophomore quarterback Austin Schlosser, who was injured last week at Marietta. Schlosser did not start today, but came into the game on Otterbein’s second series.

Otterbein began to find its offensive rhythm late in the second quarter, driving to the Mount Union nine- and eight-yard lines on its last two possessions of the first half. Both drives, however, ended in interceptions.

The Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard on its first possession of the second half, recovering a Mount Union fumble on the Otterbein seven-yard line and mounting a nine-play, 93-yard drive, capped off by a five-yard touchdown pass from Schlosser to senior tight end Mike Detwiler.

The Purple Raiders outgained Otterbein in total yards, 536 to 273. The Cardinals, who came into the game leading the OAC in rushing, averaging 253 yards a game, netted just 52 yards today. Junior running back Colton Coy led Otterbein with 35 yards on nine carries.

Schlosser completed 14 of 26 pass attempts for 201 yards and one touchdown in the loss. Senior wide receiver Ryan Rowley made nine catches for 68 yards.

Senior linebacker Donnie Reinhart led the Cardinal defense with 11 stops, five of them solo. Senior cornerback Chad Woodfork tallied his fourth interception of the season.

Otterbein is scheduled to close out regular-season play at home next Saturday, hosting John Carroll (3-6, 3-5) on senior day. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.