Box Score

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The Otterbein University football team opened the 2014 season with a 36-14 loss at ninth-ranked St. John Fisher University Saturday in Rochester.
 
It was a tale of two halves.
 
"No doubt about that," said Otterbein head coach Tim Doup. "We just gave up a couple of big plays in the second half. I thought our kids played physical and, in the first half, we left ten points out there—we had a touchdown called back and a missed field goal."
 
Otterbein trailed by just seven at the half, and tied the game at 14 early in the second half before St. John Fisher closed the game with 22 unanswered points.
 
St. John Fisher scored on its first possession following an Otterbein punt—a 21-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Robert Campese from quarterback Tyler Fenti to lead 7-0 with 13:04 to play in the first quarter.
 
Otterbein countered, however, on the very next series. Behind quarterback Brick Davis, the Cardinals mounted a 14 play, 73-yard drive culminating with a Drew Ervin 2-yard touchdown run to even the game at 7-7 with 6:43 remaining in the first quarter.
 
The Cardinals missed several scoring opportunities in the second quarter, including lost fumbles on the Fisher 31- and 18-yard lines.
 
St. John Fisher scored one more time before the half ended—a Fenti 31-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Mike Collichio—to take a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
 
Then things got interesting. Following a Fisher punt in the opening series of the second half, Otterbein, on its first play from the line of scrimmage, went to the wildcat formation. Otterbein wide receiver Cole Benner took the snap and flipped the ball to running back Reid Hutchison, who took it 82 yards for the score. Following an Alana Gaither kicked extra point, the game was tied at 14-14 with 12:27 to play in the third quarter.
 
Otterbein gave up a safety with 9:28 to play in the third quarter, and St. John Fisher put the game away with 21 more points before the third quarter ended.
 
"I think our kids played as hard as they could, and, if we get some things cleaned up, we'll be OK," Doup said.
 
Davis finished the day completing 23 of 37 pass attempts for 151 yards and no interceptions. Ten different players caught at least one pass. Wide receiver Travis Laird caught five balls for 27 yards. Hutchison, behind his 82-yard TD run, led Otterbein in rushing, netting 148 yards on nine carries.
 
Safety Ryan Moore led Otterbein in tackles, with 13, including two tackles for loss and two pass breakups. Inside linebacker Austin Jones tallied nine stops.
 
Otterbein, following a bye week, returns to action Sept. 20, hosting Marietta College on homecoming weekend.