Kehresma, It was a little disapointing saturday and it took a couple of days to get over. I watched the game from the stands and could not believe we had our DBs stuck in a soft zone all day. They pressured the QB with the line, but put the DBs in a position that they could not defend the short pass. The constent pressure on the QB gave him only the short pass to throw and we just sat back and let him do it. Unbelievable. Franklins QB and their recievers made plays all day long, don't know if they can do it every game, but they did not drop balls and made some unbelievable catches. Two calls I did not agree with :
1) OTTS offense was putting points up with Franklin and we tried to get fancy with a half back pass on our own 25 yard line??? fumble inssued and Franklin went up two scores.
2) 4th and 5 on Franklins 45 yard line, down two scores, OTTs defense not able to slow down the passing attack, under 7 mins. remaining in the game and we PUNT???
I think the magnitude of the game may have been a little overwhelming for a team and coaching staff that have not been involved in the playoffs before. Some crazy calls towards the end of the game cost OTT big. But, Congratulations on a great season and keep moving forward. Good luck to all of the players in the future.

OTT vs FC game time forcast  :  No more snow in the forcast, partly sunny, high of 35.
I will have my thermos full of something special to keep me warm. See everyone early tommorrow.  " Go OTT" 

dc - OTT went for 117 yrds  and two rushing touchdowns against MUC, #1 rushing defense in the nation, only giving up 43 per game. I think OTT's rushing game will tell the story in this contest.

OTT vs. FC  ( round 1 )
Weather :  Thur & Fri chance of snow
Game day looks like no prec., but the high temp. will be 38.
OTTS rushing game is outstanding, although their passing game averages are not as high as FC, check out their pass effecency rating. They can put the ball in the air with the best of them, when they need to. Should be a good game, but bring some warm clothes.

OTTERBEIN

Picked to finish 4th by the coaches and 6th by the media in the OAC, But finished the year with a 9-1 record, 2nd place in the OAC, 10th in the DIII polls and the first trip to the NCAA DIII football playoffs in the schools history. Good luck to the OTTERBEIN CARDINALS on November 22nd.

I was at the game. I was not on the field to tell you exactlly what happened, but I know that OTT recovered a fumble and returned it 40 yards and the player took a knee. There was an exchange after that between a couple of JCU and OTT players and then the JCU team came across the field, just like two years ago. If anyone should get control it should be the JCU coaching staff. From what I gathered after the game the OTT players said one of the coaches, student coaches or sideline staff hit one of OTTS players during the exchange. I'm sure someone will hear about that. So lets don't throw stones in glass houses, JCU is just as much to blame by coming across the field. 

Thanks CU. If it were Cap, I would be pulling for them too. It would be nice to see two OAC schools make the play-offs.

I was at the game in Westerville. I am a OTT fan for everyones information. What I saw was two 8-0 teams, two very emotional teams, both looking for an OAC championship, both looking for an NCAA playoff birth. Nothing more noting less. If you didn't expect emotion youv'e never been on the field. No one wanted to loose and I'm sure no one meant disrespect, just some very emotional, charged up young men. That's why I paid to see the game ( exciting ). MUC won the game that day and I wish then luck in the play-offs. OTT still has some business to take care of next week and mabey, if things go right they can see a play-off trip for the great season they have put together.  8)

Just going off of last years reported starters in the game notes on OTTS web site.

I believe last years QB for OTT was Steltzer ( basically a pocket passer). Rafferty gives this club a new demension with option capabilities, scrambles well and is very effecient passing. There are several changes from last years squad on both sides of the ball, except for the O-Line that returns 4 of 5. Should be exciting. Can't wait until Saturday. "Go OTT"

Just some other OAC comparisons. 6th place Ohio Northern lost to #2 in the Nation North Central 20-3. Capital which is currently tied for 3rd in the OAC beat Adrian by a score of 34-14 which is currently 2nd MIAA at 7-1. Baldwin Wallace lost to #22 Franklin and currently #1 in the HCAC  by a score of 42-35. Some of the other conferences best teams could not go 500 in the OAC.

OTT plays in a tough OAC conf., Just looking at the standings this week and I see Thomas More clinched a play-off birth, but if you look at their loss it was to John Carrol, the OAC's 3rd place team by a score of 41-14. You can also look at the W&J's games and see they only beat Theil by a score of 34-24 and then look at Theil vs. Marietta where the last place OAC team beat Theil by a score of 21-18, very comparable. The OAC is pretty solid from top to bottom. There are no winless teams in the OAC this year.

seventies, This will be a slightly different team from last years squad on both sides of the ball. First on D OTT will come out with two new D linemen with - Hopkins;  32 tackles,3.5 sacks,3.5 TFL,1 FR - King; 35 tackles, 7.5 TFL,4 sacks, 4FR,1 Interception. Three new DB's Woodfork; 31 tackles,4 Interceptions,4 Brkups - Lynch; 37 tackles,2 interceptions,1 FR - Hochstetler; 43 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception. One new LB - Reinhart; 39 tackles,4.5 TFL,1 sack,1 interception,1FR. ON O OTT retirns four OL, has a new QB, Two different RB's and a completely new recieving corp.. They are a different team than last year. I hope this is a great game and both teams stay healthy after it. "GO OTT"

I hope that is not the case. Otterbein, if they go a least 9-1 would make a quality play-off team.
Just a few comparisons around the nation.

Adian (6-1) tied for 1st was beaten by Capital 34-14   ----          OTT pounded CAP 38-9
#24 Franklin (6-1) tied for 1st beat Baldwin Wallace 42-35 -----  OTT beat BW 42 - 28
#2 North Central (7-0) beat Ohio Northern  20-3               ------  OTT Beat Northern 37-7
Thomas More (6-1) tied for 1st lost to John Carrol 41-14   ----     John Carrol lsot to BW and Northern
                                                                                                    and has MUC next . They will face OTT
                                                                                                    in the final game of the season.
OTT still has games against Marietta, #1 Mount Union and John Carroll. We see where they are after that schedule and if they go 9-1, I believe they deserve a shot.

I believe both teams will be up for this game. Remember these two really don't like each other. I beleive OTT will come into this game with intensity and ready to get after it from the opening kick-off. They have started slow in the last few games and I believe this rivalry game is just what they need to get their intensity cranked back up. Rushing game will be key. Go OTT