In what will likely be Jake Schaefer's last game as Otterbein’s head football coach, the Cardinals fell 47-15 to the Ohio Northern Polar Bears. The game epitomized the Cardinals' season as a strong first half defensive showing was overshadowed by a second half implosion and an offense that didn’t score until the minute mark in the fourth quarter.
Otterbein came into the game with questions over who their head coach will be going forward, after opening up a search Monday. Some players expressed confusion over the timing of the decision, with one game left on the schedule.
Otterbein got gashed on the ground, particularly in the second half allowing the Polar Bears 259 rushing yards, to just five for the Cardinals. Overall they were outgained 468-197 yards and averaged just 3.3 yards per play.
After the teams traded punts on each of their first two drives, the Cardinals recovered an Ohio Northern University (ONU) fumble, with great field position at their own 42. The offense, however, sputtered and went three and out, giving the ball back to the Polar Bears.
On the ensuing drive, the Cardinals appeared to have ONU stopped, but had a personal foul negate a third down stop in Polar Bear territory. After runs of 22 and 37 by running back Jordan Pettaway, Louie Blasiole opened up the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run for the Polar Bears.
The Otterbein defense responded two drives later when a sack achieved by Justin Bartlett set up a punt that was blocked and returned to the end zone by first year defensive back Emmanuel Watson, tying the score at 7-7.
With 2:29 on the clock in the first half, Carson Blank pinned the Polar Bears deep with a 34 yard punt that landed inside the one-yard line. The Cardinal defense capitalized, when Thomas Cherry and Carson Vaulx tackled Pettaway in the end zone for a safety, putting the Cardinals up 9-7.
Ohio Northern recaptured the lead 10-9 right before half with a 33-yard field goal that was set up by a 72-yard catch by ONU tight end Seth Borondy.
After a close first half, the Polar Bears decided there was no need for any more suspense, outscoring Otterbein 22-0 in the third and scoring five seconds into the fourth to take a 40-9 lead.
The four straight scoring drives out of the half for Ohio Northern all came on runs, one each for Pettaway and quarterback Brennon Norris, and two for Blasiole.
Otterbein senior quarterback Hayden Lehmann and senior wide receiver Armani Burton hooked up on a 31-yard passing touchdown with 1:35 in the fourth for Otterbein’s only offensive score.
