Football rolls up 460 yards of offense in 42-7 victory at Otterbein

By Tim Glon

WESTERVILLE — Ohio Northern rolled up a season-high 460 yards of offense and posted a 42-7 victory at Otterbein on a warm and windy Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The Polar Bears improve to 2-7 overall and are 2-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Cardinals fall to 2-7, 1-7.

Northern struck quickly when freshman Adan Figueroa (Orange City, Fla./University) hit junior L.J. Payton (Wheelersburg) on a 68-yard pass on its first play from scrimmage, putting the ball at the OU 10-yard line.

Figueroa then swept in on the next play and it was 7-0 ONU with 2:59 gone in the contest.

Senior Jamir Nunley (Cleveland/Mayfield) made it 14-0 when he scored on a 52-yard run with 13:32 left in the half.

Sophomore Dalton Tjong (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 19 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 Polar Bear lead with 6:19 left in the half.

Figueroa hit senior Nick Tangeman (Maria Stein/Marion Local) on a 48-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds left in the second quarter and it was 28-0 at intermission.

Figueroa connected with Payton again early in the fourth quarter, this time on a 4-yard touchdown pass, and it was 35-7 with 13:12 remaining.

Freshman Garrison Higgins (Waikoloa, Hawaii/Westlake) made it 42-7 with a 41-yard strike to senior Jack DiMario (Dayton/Alter) with 8:49 left in the game.

Senior Josh Bever (Ashland) had 10 tackles and a sack and Tjong had seven tackles to go with his pick-6 to lead the Northern defense.

Figueroa finished the day 9-of-20 passing for 230 yards and a two touchdowns. Senior All-American Brock Martin (Attica/Seneca East) ran 18 times for 56 yards and Nunley finished with 55 yards rushing on three carries for ONU.

Ohio Northern out-gained Otterbein 460-208 in total offense.

The Polar Bears will wrap up their season next Saturday at home against Wilmington with a 2:30 pm kickoff at Dial-Roberson Stadium.