DELAWARE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University football team opened their home schedule on Saturday, hosting Maryville for a 2:00 p.m. kick. Despite a hot start and a late push, the Bishops fell behind in the second quarter and would not be able to crawl back, losing 48-24.
OWU is now 1-1 on the year. Maryville moves to 2-0.
The Red and Black got off to a good start by forcing a turnover on downs on the opening drive for Maryville.
C.J. Jackson then capped off the first offensive drive for Ohio Wesleyan with a four-yard touchdown run for the early 7-0 lead. OWU would then force a fumble on their next defensive drive but ultimately come up empty. The Scots soon responded with three straight touchdowns to claim a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.
The Battling Bishops got back on the board with around a minute left in the half after another Jackson TD run – this time for two yards – that cut the deficit to 28-14. Unfortunately, Maryville then ended the half with a 75-yard touchdown pass, missing the extra point to make it 34-14 at the break.
The defense for the Red and Black forced another fumble early in the third quarter that resulted in a field goal from
Ryan Elliot to make it a 34-17 game. Maryville ended the third with another touchdown as they took a 41-17 lead before the fourth quarter.
Ohio Wesleyan seemed to have some fight left after a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to
Josh Hurst, followed by a successful onside kick following a penalty that moved the kickoff to the 50 yard line. Unfortunately, the Bishops offense would falter on the next drive, turning the ball over on downs. The Scots then scored again to finish off the game, with a 48-24 final.
THE NUMBERS
C.J. Jackson led the Bishops on offense with 243 total yards, 235 through the air and 24 on the ground. He was 23-for-39 passing with one touchdown and one interception, adding two touchdowns on the ground.
Josh Hurst led the receiving corps with eight receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Bryan Hines Jr. was next with 63 yards on six catches, followed by
Reddik Pillarelli with 60 yards on seven receptions.
Mysaun Sanders led the rushing unit with 42 yards on 13 attempts.
Chanden Lee and
Devon Haley both had 12 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Ohio Wesleyan was led by
Grant Johnson with a career-high 14 tackles (eight solo) including two tackles for loss.
Jake Smothers had a career-high 11 tackles (six solo) with one tackle for loss.
Jacob Slyh made a career-high nine tackles (one solo) with one tackle for loss.
Chris Burns and
Joseph Seney both had six tackles.
John Banks Jr., Connor Stephen, and
Brayden Hatcher all made five tackles apiece.
UP NEXT
The Bishops are back in action next Saturday as they host Wittenberg on Homecoming Weekend. The Homecoming game is scheduled to kickoff at 6:00 p.m.
