Dan Carr
Lindsborg News Record

Frustrations continue for the Bethany College football team as they dropped a road game to the Ottawa University Braves, 56-20. The Swedes looked sharp early on and scored the first touchdown of the game but the Braves showed why they were predicted to be one of the league powerhouses as they took advantage of Bethany turnovers and miscues to gain a KCAC victory.

Jamie Cruce, Head Coach of the Swedes, saw some bright spots for his team as he stated, "We started with good execution as we took the lead on the opening drive. However, we turned the ball over twice in the first half and had a fumbled snap on a punt as well. We were able to put another nice drive together to end the half to pull to within sixteen; unfortunately we gave up21 points in the third quarter and didn't move the ball much at all on offense. Our guys showed pride in continuing to battle and got another touchdown in the fourth quarter. We will need to eliminate our turnovers this week as we prepare for Sterling College."

Coach Cruce also had praise for the Swede running game and stated, "Tevis Linnebur, (138 yards rushing), played a very good game as our run game did some nice things at times."

Bethany scoring began in the first quarter with Chad Wollenberg scoring a one-yard touchdown on a handoff at the 8:37 point in the first quarter. The point after was no good. Ottawa responded with four touchdowns to move ahead 28-6. Bethany scored their second touchdown of the half when Darby House connected with Zachary Dovenbarger on a 24-yard TD strike but the kick attempt was blocked by the Braves.   

The second half opened with three more Ottawa touchdowns in the third quarter and one more in the fourth quarter to stake a 56-12 lead. The Swedes would not say die as they scored their third touchdown of the game with just three minutes to play when House found Ethan Linden on an eight-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion pass from House to Brandon Martino.

The Swedes are now 1-6 in the KCAC and 2-7 overall. Bethany will host Sterling College on Saturday, November 3, at 1:30 p.m.