Game Notes          Coach Doup Radio Show - Week 3

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University returns home and looks to move to 2-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play Saturday afternoon, hosting Wilmington College at 2 p.m. as part of Homecoming.

"We came back from Marietta with a win but we still need to get better, in all phases," Otterbein head coach Tim Doup said. "We still need to stop confusion and get back to the basics."

The Cardinals (1-1, 1-0 OAC) began conference play with a victory for the fourth-straight year last weekend, departing Marietta College with a 31-21 triumph after a late pick-six from senior linebacker Drew Ervin sealed the game.  He was named the OAC 'Defensive Player of the Week' on Monday.

The Otterbein defense will now focus on slowing down a dangerous Wilmington offense, which racked up 458 yards of total offense last Saturday despite a 49-27 loss to Capital University. The Quakers (1-1, 0-1 OAC), snapping a 23-game losing streak back on Sept. 5 with a 14-10 win over Bluffton University, surrendered 509 yards to Capital's offense.

"Wilmington has very good skill offensively," Doup said. "They have three big wide receivers, an all-conference running back and a transfer quarterback. Their offensive line is young but our defense will no doubt have a challenge in stopping their attack."

The Cards are continuing to work on run defense, having allowed 339 yards to Buffalo State in week one before 191 to a powerful Marietta ground-game last time out.

"We are still figuring out a way to stop the run," Doup explained. "We aren't the biggest defense, but we are focusing on our formations and assignments. We need to get lined up correctly and stop the run."

Otterbein has won eight-straight games against Wilmington, the most recent being a 49-21 victory last season on the road. Ervin, playing running back at the time, had two rushing touchdowns in the first half as the Cards built a 35-7 lead by intermission.

The Otterbein offense displayed some good drives at Marietta, scoring 21 points in the first two quarters before an inconsistent second half. Sophomore wide receiver Julian Lowe is emerging as a nice threat, hauling in seven catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in the win.

"He did a great job last week," Doup said of Lowe. "We took what the defense gave us at times, but there were other times where he made some nice catches. I think he is feeling more comfortable in the offense and with the things that he can provide. We can't just focus on Julian though. We have some other good receivers that we need to spread the ball to."

Senior quarterback Kevan Green looks to continue making progress as the signal-caller, coming off a 12 of 23 output for 171 yards, one touchdown and one lost fumble at Marietta. Seniors John Pyles and Speedy Hammond give the backfield a one-two punch, behind an experienced offensive line, while slot receiver Cole Benner had a pair of 1-yard rushing touchdowns out of the wildcat last week.

Wilmington's last victory over Otterbein came back in October of 2006, walking away from Westerville with a 38-7 result. The Cards scored first that day on a 28-yard interception return, but it was all Quakers from there on out as they limited Otterbein to just 15 yards rushing.

Fans can follow Saturday's game through live stats and live video stream.