BEREA, Ohio –The Baldwin Wallace University football opened the 2018 Ohio Athletic Conference schedule as it recorded its second straight double-digit victory with a 33-3 victory over Otterbein University on the Tressel Field surface inside the George Finnie Stadium.
Prior to the game, BW (2-0, 1-0 OAC) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first OAC Championship in 1968 as 40 members of the team and their families were recognized on the field.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 37-12-1 in the all-time series and snapped a two-game losing skid to Otterbein (1-1, 0-1 OAC).
Offensively for BW, senior quarterback Jake Hudson completed 24 of 31 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns. Hudson also led the ground attack with 29 yards on 17 carries. Senior wide receiver Chad Steinwachs (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) led the receiving corps with seven catches for 82 yards with one touchdown. The Yellow Jacket defense was led by junior defensive lineman Wezlee Spence (North Canton/Hoover) had eight tackles, one sack and two tackles for a loss.
The Cardinal offensive attack was led by senior quarterback Steven Irwin completed six of 17 passes for 81 yards but was sacked four times. Senior running back Dakota Smith led the rushing attack with 42 yards on nine carries. Sophomore wide out Reed Tucker led the receiving corps with three catches for 30 yards.
Otterbein scored the only points of the first quarter when sophomore kicker David Hoyle converted a 29-yard field goal at the 4:09 mark.
It was all BW in the second quarter as it scored three touchdowns to lead 16-3 at the intermission. Steinwachs caught a four-yard pass from Hudson just five seconds into the period. Junior kicker Jimmy Marshall (Lakewood) added the extra point. Marshall hit his first field goal of the season as he hit the 25-yarder. Junior running back Lyle Grant (Alden, N.Y./Alden Central) caught a 16-yard pass from Hudson with 26 seconds left but Marshall missed the point after.
The Yellow Jackets scored the only points of the third quarter when junior wide receiver Deion Greer (Toledo/Toledo Central Catholic) scored on a four-yard rush to pay dirt at the 2:30 mark. Marshall added the extra point.
BW closed out the scoring in the final quarter with a touchdown and a field goal. Senior wide receiver Matt Lowry (Rocky River) scored on a two-yard run at the 11:20 mark. Marshall closed out the scoring with his second field goal with a career-long 33-yarder at 2:30.
The Yellow Jackets close out their three-game season opening homestand when they host a Community Day, Homecoming and OAC game against defending NCAA Division III Champion University of Mount Union on Saturday, September 15 at 2 p.m. That day, BW will also celebrate its past football captains.
