PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein football team dropped its home opener Saturday afternoon inside Memorial Stadium, falling behind early and never catching up en route to a 45-28 loss to Baldwin Wallace in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener for both schools.

Otterbein found itself in a hole almost immediately, as Baldwin Wallace (2-0) scored a pair of defensive touchdowns within the first five minutes of play. Cardinal QB Bryce Hall was strip-sacked on the game's second play, and the Yellow Jackets then came up with a 60-yard interception return just a few minutes later.

The Cards found some good defensive fortune themselves near the end of the opening period, as defensive back Brandon Paschal made a pick on the far sideline and housed it 61 yards to get his team on the scoreboard. Also included in the opening frame was a 68-yard punt from All-OAC senior Luke Green-Lauber, the fifth-longest in program history.

Otterbein later trailed 21-7 midway through the second quarter, facing a 4th and 1 around midfield, before Green-Lauber downed another inside the 10-yard line. BW proceeded to embark 93 yards and extend the gap to 28-7.

Otterbein did get a pair of long scoring plays to try and remain within striking distance, as Luke Schmeling busted a 56-yard touchdown up the gut from the wildcat formation before halftime and then Dom Ross hauled in a 66-yard toss from Hall in the third quarter.

The Cards were driving again shortly thereafter, but an 81-yard interception return gave Baldwin Wallace its third defensive TD of the day to help create enough breathing room. Otterbein outgained its opponent for a second-straight week, holding a 378-356 edge over BW, but a minus-four turnover margin played a key role once again.

Otterbein finished with a 20-14 advantage in first downs and held a 31:14 time of possession. Hall went 15 of 27 for 206 yards, but also three picks, while Schmeling carried 12 times for 97 yards. He also caught a pass and completed another.

Speedy freshman Jordan Bost-Floyd contributed 52 yards with a late touchdown and Ross finished with exactly 100 yards through the air. Free safety Niall Lewison paced the defense again with a game-best 12 stops, including 1.5 for loss, while linebackers Greg Nolder and Colton Miles chipped in eight each.

Jon Murray Jr. rushed 14 times for 118 yards from the BW backfield and Deion Greer hauled in four grabs. Defensively, Josh Liberati made 10 tackles and Dominick Bowman had two difference-making interceptions.

The Cardinals, now 0-2 on the young season, will host funeral services for Nigel Chatman on Monday and stay at home the remainder of the week. Otterbein welcomes John Carroll next Saturday for Homecoming at 2 p.m.