Game Notes
Coach Doup Radio Show - Week 2

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University football team has been chomping at the bit to get back on the field following a disappointing, 29-26, week-one loss at Buffalo State and then a recent bye week. The Cards will finally be back in action Saturday evening, traveling to Wilmington College in what will be the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener for both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

"The negative was that we didn't win the game in Buffalo, had a five-hour bus ride, were entering a bye week and just wanted to play again quickly," Otterbein head coach Tim Doup explained. "Two weeks off with a bad taste in your mouth just stinks. I can tell the guys are ready to get back out there after learning some lessons in the opener. Our new season starts Saturday, so it's time to refocus and see what happens."

Otterbein did a lot of good things at Buffalo State, building a 26-14 lead early in the fourth quarter before the host Bengals rallied with 15 unanswered. Junior quarterback Logan Stepp, making his collegiate debut at the position after switching from wide receiver, accounted for 298 yards of offense (210 passing, 88 rushing) and three total scores.

"He is still learning," Doup said of Stepp. "We obviously know he is athletic and can physically throw and run, so now it's about continuing to learn reads and solidifying the little stuff. I expect him to play even better this week."

Junior wide receiver Hunter Joseph was impressive in his first game wearing a Cardinal uniform after transferring from Ohio Dominican, hauling in seven passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Slot receiver Julian Lowe, a returning first team All-OAC selection, added five grabs for 40 yards.

Otterbein committed fewer penalties and won the turnover battle with a pair of takeaways, but Buffalo State would unfortunately score the winning touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.

Wilmington's opening contest wasn't quite as close, losing 49-20 at Bluffton after falling behind 35-7 entering halftime. The Quakers, led by fourth-year head coach Stacey Hairston, have not defeated Otterbein since the 2006 season but you can bet the Cardinals will not take anything for granted.

"You're going to see two very pumped-up teams," Doup said. "It's their first home game of the season, under the lights, while we are eager to get back out there after a disappointing loss. They have some good team speed and do a few things on defense that can cause problems with coverage and blitzes, and they also have a new offensive coordinator. We are preparing for anything."
 
The Wilmington offense is guided by junior quarterback Luke Creditt, another dual-threat signal caller who threw for 198 yards in his opener and then also rushed 13 times for 45 yards, most of that coming on a 42-yard TD scamper. Creditt was responsible for 216 yards of combined offense last season against the Cardinals.
 
Running back Gino Hinton averaged 7.4 yards per carry against Bluffton while the Quakers boast a trio of upperclassmen receiving threats in juniors PJ Meyer, Tim Murphy and Tyler Tarnowski. Senior linebacker C.J. Thompson led Wilmington with nine tackles in the opener, including two for a loss.
 
Otterbein topped Wilmington, 31-9, during last year's matchup in Westerville, getting three second-half touchdowns from Lowe in chunks of 50, 62 and 25 yards.
 
Fans can follow Saturday night's game through LIVE STATS and Otterbein LIVE RADIO (WOBN 97.5).