PHOTO GALLERY
WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein football program has weathered its share of storms this season, and fittingly persevered through one more Saturday afternoon to pick up its first win of the season throughout a rain-soaked day at Memorial Stadium.
The Cardinals, playing back at home for the first time in five weeks, held on late behind a strong defensive effort to emerge with an 18-10 triumph over Muskingum as the skies parted.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Both teams threw interceptions in the opening quarter, including sophomore linebacker Greg Nolder giving momentum back to Otterbein with a pick at the goal line.
- The Cards took a 7-0 lead after another turnover sequence when Nolder forced a fumble while covering a punt. That ultimately led to a 10-yard scoring pass from Logan Pharmer to Dom Ross.
- Punter Luke Green-Lauber pinned Muskingum at its own one-yard line in the second quarter, and the defense delivered a safety on a combined stuff from Brayden Stark and Austin Torr. The Muskies did make one field goal in the period but a second attempt was blocked by Niall Lewison off the edge just prior to halftime.
- Nolder gave the Cards another safety to begin the third quarter on a sack in the end zone, and Otterbein used that field-position to then go 56 yards in just five plays. A long pass to Jacob Leonardi led to a rushing score around the right side from Jordan Bost-Floyd.
- Muskingum made it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter, and appeared to have scored another TD on a throwback pass late before a pair of flags. A holding call, followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, erased the 26-yard play.
- The Muskies eventually had a 4th-and-Goal at the 4-yard line before a TFL from Jacob Tiell halted the sequence. Matt Webb scampered nine yards for a game-clinching first down shortly thereafter.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Otterbein gets back in the win column against Muskingum after last season's disappointing 21-14 loss in the closing seconds. The Cards had won 14-straight meeting prior to that.
- Green-Lauber pinned five of his nine punts inside the 20, including two at the 1-yard line. He entered the week ranked 11th nationally in net average (42.1).
- Tuchow led all players with 11 tackles while Nolder had 10 stops, one sack for the safety, a forced fumble and interception.
- Otterbein won despite being outgained 353-189. The Cards were +2 in the turnover battle and had nine tackles for loss on defense.
UP NEXT:
The Cardinals will head across town next Saturday as part of Rivalry Weekend against Capital, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.
