Box Score

BEREA, Ohio – The Otterbein football team escaped with a thrilling victory Saturday afternoon at Baldwin Wallace, stringing together a late touchdown drive to emerge with a 33-30 triumph inside George Finnie Stadium.

Otterbein, improving to 4-3 on the season and 4-2 within Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play, punched in a one-yard rushing TD from junior Isaiah Richmond with 32 seconds remaining to complete the game-winning drive.

The Cardinal defense bent but didn't break to begin the game, ultimately holding BW on downs in the red zone to take over possession. Quarterback Logan Stepp, the reigning OAC Player of the Week, then broke a 66-yard run on Otterbein's first series that set up a 22-yard chip-shot field goal from Joe Sanfillipo.

The Yellow Jackets (2-5, 1-5 OAC) responded with a pair of touchdowns, the first drive beginning in Otterbein territory after a nice kickoff return and then a personal-foul penalty against the Cardinals. BW eventually delivered a short score from running back Austin Smith, but the PAT was unsuccessful after a bobbled snap.

Baldwin Wallace then regained possession after Otterbein fumbled to begin its next offensive series, and quickly made the contest 13-3 following a second rushing score from Smith.

The hosts added to their lead on a lengthy 16-play, 86-yard touchdown drive to make the margin 20-3 early in the second quarter, but Otterbein answered right back with a 71-yard TD strike from Stepp to slot receiver Payton Vanderkooi on the first play of the next series.

Baldwin Wallace carried a 23-10 advantage into halftime after a 37-yard field goal, but Otterbein came flying out of the locker room with a nine-play, 68-yard drive that was capped by a six-yard rushing touchdown for Richmond.

The Otterbein defense then forced a pair of quick three-and-outs with BW backed up in its own end, translating to two drives starting right around midfield. The Cards capitalized with a 44-yard field goal from Sanfillipo followed by an eventual 12-yard touchdown from Stepp to receiver Julian Lowe on the next sequence. The extra point was blocked, leaving Otterbein with a 26-23 lead.

BW regained the lead with a TD on its next possession, with quarterback Jake Hudson eluding the Cardinal pass rush on 3rd-and-10 to scamper for a first down and extend the drive, which culminated with Smith's third rushing score. Otterbein stayed the course, getting a key defensive stop and eventually finding itself driving into opponent territory as the game clocked moved under 2:00 to play. The Cards converted a third-down into the red zone, then overcame a pair of penalties to hit Lowe on a timely pass over the middle.

Stepp ran down to the one-yard line, and Richmond eventually converted his game-winning touchdown by easily scooting in around the right side. Linebacker Austin Jones recovered a Baldwin Wallace fumble on the next offensive play to seal the deal.

Otterbein racked up 408 yards of total offense on the day, with Stepp going 13 of 22 passing for 229 yards and a pair of scores and then also rushing 14 times for 117 yards on the ground. Both slot receivers found the end zone, with Vanderkooi catching three balls for 96 yards and Lowe hauling in seven for 92.

Defensive end Kyle Blust was disruptive all day long in the trenches, finishing with a game-high 10 tackles (four for a loss) as he pressured Hudson and the Yellow Jacket backfield throughout.

Safety Anthony Wene and defensive back Prince Franklin each added nine stops while Dassan Jefferson and Jake Harper both had eight. Franklin was making his first college start at defensive back after switching from offense this week.

Smith eclipsed the century mark for BW, toting the rock 24 times for 107 yards and his three scores.

Otterbein will be back in action next Saturday afternoon at home, hosting top-ranked and defending national champion Mount Union at 1:30 p.m.