Football opens 2024 campaign with convincing 45-7 victory over Franklin (Ind.)

ADA —  Ohio Northern kicked the off its 2024 season and the Andy Fries era with a convincing 45-7 victory over Franklin (Ind.) on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Dial-Roberson Stadium.

The Basics

• Records: Ohio Northern (1-0 Overall), Franklin (1-0 Overall)
• Venue: Dial-Roberson Stadium - Ada, Ohio

The Game

• Ohio Northern's offense rolled up 294 yards rushing and 394 yards of total offense.
• The Polar Bear defense limited the Grizzlies to just 156 yards of total offense.
• Sophomore Jordan Pettaway (Oregon/Clay) rushed six times for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
• Sophomore Seth Borondy (Bellbrook) carried the ball 20 times for 90 yards.
• Junior Louie Blasiole (Mantua/Crestwood) rushed 24 times for 83 yards and a score.
• Northern got on the board midway through the first period on a 16-yard pick-6 by senior Blake Hershberger (Lima/Allen East) with 7:55 gone in the game.
• On ONU's next snap from center, Pettaway broke free for a 79-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 with 3:00 left in the opening quarter.
• The Polar Bears led 31-0 at halftime and 38-0 after three quarters.
• Defensively, senior All-American Dalton Tjong (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) and junior Myles Aldrich (Lima/Shawnee) each had nine tackles.
• Tjong added an interception and two PBUs and Aldrich had three TFLs and two quarterback hurries. 
• The Polar Bears out-gained the Grizzlies in total offense 394-156 and held the ball for 33:12.

Notables

• Andy Fries is in his first season as head coach at ONU.
• Today's game started the 130th season of football at Ohio Northern. Ohio Northern is now 559-521-36 all-time, a winning percentage of .517.

Up Next

• The Polar Bears will return to action Sept. 21 at 7 pm at Heidelberg in the 14th annual Bendekovic Bowl.