Game Notes
WESTERVILLE, Ohio—Its come down to a three-game season for the Otterbein University football team.
The Cardinals, needing to win their final three games of 2013 for back-to-back winning seasons, host cross-town rival Capital University Saturday in Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
“It’s a three-game season, but one game at a time,” stressed Otterbein head coach Tim Doup, who is in his second season at his alma mater. “Three games that if we play well, we should be in and have a good chance to win. Everything else is in the past. We have to win these three games.”
The Cardinals head into the game off back-to-back losses to 9th-ranked Heidelberg University and top-ranked University of Mount Union. The team, 3-4 overall, holds down fifth place in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) with a 3-3 record. Following Capital, Otterbein has games remaining with Marietta College and Ohio Northern University.
Capital, under first-year head coach Craig Candeto, comes into the rivalry game much in need of a win. The Crusaders only victory this season came Sept. 21, a 42-13 decision at Marietta.
Last week in Berea, the Crusaders controlled tempo for one half of football before falling to Baldwin Wallace University, 28-12. Capital, employing the Navy offense, rushed for 216 yards in the loss. Senior slot back Alex Coleman rushed for 52 yards to lead the Crusaders. Freshman quarterback Chase Longwell ran for 43 yards and passed for 96.
“Offensively, we’ve got to be able to get first downs,” said Doup about Saturday’s game. “We’ve got to get first downs, keep the clock moving and keep that offense off the field. It’s a whole different offense that a lot of people don’t see. It’s the Navy offense so our defense is going to be tested a little bit. Got to stop the run and force them to throw.”
Otterbein has won four of the last six meetings with Capital, including a 23-9 victory in Bexley last season. The Cardinals returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to ice last season’s win. Capital won the previous two games, 24-20, in 2011, and, 23-13, in 2010.
“It’s Capital week,” Doup said Tuesday afternoon. “Our guys are ready. I could see a little bit of difference in them this morning at 7 o’clock,” When we meet, normally, it’s dead silence, quiet, but the lights were on and they were all talking. It’s a little bit different this week, I can see it already. I think our guys are excited for this game.”
Otterbein is scheduled to close out the home portion of its schedule Nov. 9, taking on the Pioneers of Marietta on Senior Day. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.
