Written by John Goetz

COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the first time this season, the Ohio Dominican football team ended up on the short end of the scoreboard. Unfortunately, that loss not only ended their twelve game winning streak but their season as well. Ninth ranked Missouri Valley College knocked off third ranked Ohio Dominican 48-34 in front of a capacity crowd at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings used heavy defensive pressure and a burly running attack to hand the Panthers the defeat in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series.

Ohio Dominican started the game on the right foot as they scored a touchdown on their first possession. Quarterback Cris Reisert (Cincinnati, OH) hooked up with Josh Smart (Englewood, OH) from 37 yards out to open the scoring at the 12:05 mark of the first quarter.

From there Missouri Valley seized the momentum. The Vikings answered the ODU score on their next possession when David Allen rushed in from three yards out. After the two teams traded interceptions, ODU began a drive at the MVC 32-yard line with 9:25 remaining in the quarter. But the Vikings forced a fumble to kill the drive that had a promising start.

The Vikings took full advantage of the turnover, driving 80 yards in six plays as Allen added his second touchdown run of the day for the 14-7 first quarter lead.

On the ensuing kickoff the home team dodged a big bullet. ODU’s Tyler Purcell (Franklin, OH) fumbled the return. Colin Smith recovered for MVC at the ODU 37. After gaining a total of just 18 yards, the Vikings settled for a 36-yard field goal attempt from Joe Park. The try was unsuccessful as the Viking lead remained at seven.

The Panthers were able to knot the score at 14 on their next possession. Reisert orchestrated a 13-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a seven yard touchdown strike to tight end Joe Farfsing (Cincinnati, OH). Unfortunately, that was as close as Ohio Dominican would be the remainder of the game.

ODU did have an opportunity when Panther linebacker Nathan Hillerich (Groveport, OH) intercepted a pass by Chris White at the MVC 43, but fumbled the ball back to Missouri Valley during the nine yard return. The Vikings proceeded to march down the field for the score, the first of three consecutive scores that put the visitors on top 35-14. The Panthers were able to add a 30-yard field goal from senior Andy Wernicke (Wheaton, IL) as time expired in the first half to cut the Viking lead to 18.

Ohio Dominican would add another Wernicke field goal, this one from 26 yards, to open the third quarter to pull within 15 points, 35-20. But Missouri Valley answered right back when White found Javion Jones for a 15-yard score. The extra point attempt failed, but the Viking lead was now 41-20 with 10:22 remaining in the third quarter.

ODU made quick work of their next drive. Beginning the drive at their own 45-yard line, Reisert connected on a short pass to Jared Stace (Whitehall, OH). The senior wide receiver then danced around defenders and ran a tight rope along the sideline to the end zone for the 55 yard touchdown reception. Neither team would score again in the third quarter as the game went to the final stanza with Missouri Valley ahead, 41-27.

The Vikings scored in the fourth when running back Robert Holmes rumbled into the end zone from six yards out, the last of his three scores on the day. ODU answered back on their next drive as Reisert tossed his fourth scoring strike of the afternoon, this one a 15 yard pass to Smart. That would prove to be the final score of the game as the Vikings used their rushing attack to run out the clock and come away with the playoff victory.

The Vikings rolled up a total of 643 yards of offense compared to 453 yards for the Panthers. MVC also held a nearly 20 minute advantage in the time of possession, including a margin of 11:37 to 3:23 in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Missouri Valley forced six Panther turnovers while giving the ball to ODU just twice. Despite constant pressure from the Viking defense, Reisert completed 29-of-55 for 429 yards and four touchdowns. Smart hauled in seven passes for 130 yards and two scores.

For the Vikings, White completed 14-of-29 passes for 359 yards and three scores. For his efforts, White was named as the NAIA Offensive Player of the Game. Eric Brown led the Vikings with six receptions for a game-high 160 yards and a touchdown. Holmes carried the ball 29 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 83 yards, one of which was a 70-yard touchdown reception off a screen pass in the second quarter.

Leading the Panther defense was junior David Jenkins (Akron, OH), who collected a total of 13 tackles, one interception and two pass break-ups. The Vikings’ Merlin Benefield was named the NAIA Defensive Player of the Game as he made a total of five tackles, one of which was a sack of Reisert.

Ohio Dominican ends its fourth season with a mark of 12-1. The Panthers claimed their first-ever Mid-States Football Association Mideast League title with a conference mark of 7-0 and made their first-ever appearance in the NAIA Championship Series.