Football Falls To No. 12 Ohio Dominican 49-21

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University football team dropped a 49-21 contest to No. 12 Ohio Dominican Saturday afternoon (November 1).

ODU improves to 7-1 overall and in the GLIAC. Northwood falls to 4-5 overall, 3-5 in the GLIAC.

Much like in the previous week against Saginaw Valley State, Northwood got off to a slow start. The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the opening 4:31 of the game to go up 14-0. That is where the score stood after one quarter. ODU finished the opening quarter with a 103-36 advantage in total yards.

The Panthers continued to hold the advantage into the second quarter, extending their lead to 28-0 before NU got on the board. Freshman Vashon Nutt (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmor) caught a 58-yard TD pass from fellow freshman Jimmy Strom (Duluth, Ga./Pinecrest Academy) to make the score 28-7. It was the first TD pass for Strom and the first touchdown scored for Nutt in their careers.

ODU found the end zone one more time before halftime, however, to make the score 35-7 at the break. Northwood played better in the second quarter, cutting the Panthers total yards advantage to 259-200 at the break.

After a scoreless third quarter, the teams alternated touchdowns in the final quarter. ODU capped an 80-yard drive with a TD early in the quarter to make the score 42-7. Northwood responded with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Strom to Theron Wilson (Ann Arbor, Mich./Skyline), cutting the lead to 42-14. The Panthers came right back with another touchdown to make the score 49-14. NU then finished out the scoring in the final minute on a Luke Shaffer (Georgetown, Pa./Southside) one-yard run.

For the game, Northwood finished with a 454-406 advantage in total yards. The Timberwolves ended the game with 136 yards rushing and 318 yards passing, while ODU had 164 yards rushing and 242 yards passing. Turnovers proved to be a big part of the game, as Northwood had four giveaways (two interceptions, two lost fumbles) while ODU had zero.

Strom finished his first career start 23-42 overall for 318 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jared Briguglio (Saginaw, Mich./Swan Valley) finished with 64 yards rushing on seven carries. Michael Fisher (Rochester, Mich./Adams) led the NU defense with nine tackles.

Northwood will travel to Hillsdale Saturday (November 8). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.