The Wilmington College football team travels to Westerville 2 p.m. Saturday to open Ohio Athletic Conference action against the Otterbein Cardinals.
The Series
Otterbein leads the overall series, 12-5, including winning each of the last 10 meetings.
The Last Five
2016: Otterbein 52, Wilmington 7
2015: Otterbein 31, Wilmington 9
2014: Otterbein 49, Wilmington 21
2013: Otterbein 30, Wilmington 14
2012: Otterbein 54, Wilmington 10
Grinding out yards
In their first victory of the season, the Fightin' Quakers rushed for a school-record tying 381 yards with two players – senior running back Eric Flynn Jr. and senior quarterback Luke Creditt each going over 100 yards. For their efforts, the starting offensive line of Saul Boysel, Lane Hacker, Sterling Clark, Kelvin Valdes and Nick Moore earned D3football.com Team of the Week.
Weathering the Storm
Freshman Parris Weathersby earned Ohio Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after recording tackles on six of Wilmington's eight kickoffs.
Forty's
The 49 points scored against Earlham was the first time since the 2007 season that Wilmington scored at least 40 points in a game. The Fightin' Quakers reached 42 twice, beating Muskingum 42-30 and John Carroll 42-35.
Schematic Change
One of the biggest changes for Wilmington's defense will be the change from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 defense. Sophomore Steve Broussard is expected to benefit greatly from the change, and have a breakout season.
BY THE NUMBERS
38 - The Fightin' Quakers bring a 38-game Ohio Athletic Conference losing streak into the game.
2 – The number of players with more than 100 yards rushing in the opener, and the number of receptions and touchdowns for senior receiver P.J. Meyer against Earlham.
21 – Twenty-one players made their collegiate debuts for Wilmington in the Quaker Bowl. Five of those players – Ameer Jackson, Steve Broussard, Deavyn Jones, Olen Keil and Leroy Wilson – made their first collegiate starts.
MEET THE CARDINALS
Otterbein is coming off a 41-27 victory over Muskingum last week as the two teams were the only Ohio Athletic Conference teams in action. With the victory, the Cardinals move to 2-0 on the season.
For their work last week, senior receiver Hunter Joseph and sophomore safety Fred Hardgrove earned Ohio Athletic Conference players of the week.
Hardgrove, who has 23 tackles, two interceptions, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup on the season, finished with 16 tackles, 10 solos, in the win over the Muskies.
Joseph finished with 246 yards on 12 catches with six receptions and 171 yards coming in the first half.
Quarterback Logan Stepp, who earned OAC Offensive Player of the Week in week one, leads the team in rushing and passing. The senior signal caller has 210 yards rushing on 31 attempts and 709 yards on 41-of-58 passing with seven touchdowns and one interception.
Senior Julian Lowe is part of a 1-2 receiver tandem with Joseph that makes the OC aerial attack potent. Lowe leads the team with 17 catches with 244 yards and a touchdown.