Alliance, OH - The Mount Union Purple Raiders returned home to welcome conference foe, the Otterbein Cardinals. The Purple Raiders were looking to put a bow on a outstanding October. Entering play, Mount Union had outscored their opponents 186-3 on the month.
The scoring got started on the Purple Raiders first drive of the afternoon with Braxton Plunk finding Tyrell Sanders in the back of the end zone. On the Cardinals ensuing drive, Mount Union blocked the punt and it went out of the back of the end zone resulting in a safety, making the score 9-0 with 7:38 left in the opening frame.
Following the safety, the teams traded three and outs on the next four possessions before Nick Turner returned the punt 62 yards to pay dirt to grow the Purple Raider lead to 16-0 with 1:23 left in the opening quarter.
A Cardinal fumble in the waning moments of the 1st quarter gave the ball back to the Purple Raiders, which they converted into another score. This time it was Plunk to Wyatt Stiehl for the 4 yard score. Another successful PAT made it 23-0 with 10:53 left in the 1st half.
There was a lull in action for much of the 2nd quarter before Braxton Plunk connected with Wayne Ruby Jr. for another touchdown, this one from 36 yards out to cap off a 7-play 99 yard drive.
It was the Florida Connection again in the 3rd quarter for the Purple Raiders next score, with Plunk finding Ruby from 23 yards out for a nice over the shoulder catch to extend the lead to 37-0. They weren't done however, as the two would connect once more, this time from 41 yards out making it 44-0.
With the 2nd team defense in, Otterbein got on the board with a one yard run by Matt Griffin with 11:24 left in the 4th quarter. He would tack on another 1 yarder with 7:14 to shrink the gap to 44-14.
Mount Union reserve QB Jackson Akins found WR Noah Mangan for the 19 yard score with 2:53 left in regulation to end the afternoon's scoring.
The Purple Raiders will travel to John Carroll next Saturday in a winner-take-all for the Ohio Athletic Conference crown. Kick-off is set for 1:30.
Stats:
QB Braxton Plunk 26/34 330 yards 5 Touchdowns
RB Darnell Williams 12 attempts, 53 yards
WR Wayne Ruby Jr. 5 Receptions 120 yards, 3 TD
PR Nick Turner 62 yard TD Punt Return
LB Mason McMillen 7 Tackles
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