Otterbein knocks off Wilmington 54-10
WILMINGTON, Ohio – Led by senior defensive back Anthony Korpieski's two interceptions for touchdowns, the Cardinal football team rolled to a 54-10 victory over Wilmington College Saturday night in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) matchup at Williams Stadium.
With the win, Otterbein University starts the season 2-0 for the first time since 2009, and moves to 1-0 in the OAC. Meanwhile, the Quakers fall to 0-2 overall, 0-1 in the OAC.
Sophomore Jordan Bonifas made his first-career interception to set up Otterbein's first score of the game. On third and goal from the one yard-line, senior quarterback Aaron Kingcade took it himself and crossed the goal line to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead with 8:49 left in the first quarter.
Otterbein also scored on its next two possessions. Kingcade found senior wide receiver Trey Fairchild for a 10-yard touchdown with 2:40 left in the first quarter. Kingcade ended the Cardinals next drive with another touchdown pass when he connected with senior tight end Gabe Shively for a 5-yard touchdown to put Otterbein up 20-0 with 1:01 left in the first period.
The Cardinals next two scores came from the defense. Korpieski picked off the first of his two interceptions and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown to put the Cards up 27-0. Two plays later, senior linebacker Shane Little recovered a fumble and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown to give Otterbein a 34-0 lead with 14:54 left in the second quarter.
The Cardinals tacked on 20 more points in the second half to cruise to the victory. Wilmington's points came on a safety that followed an interception at the 1-yard line and a 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
Kingcade finished the night 14 of 21 for 136 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Cardinals on the ground, posting 66 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Fairchild, a preseason D3football.com All-American, hauled in five catches for 53 yards and a touchdown in his 2012 debut after not playing in the season-opener against Gallaudet.
Defensively, Korpieski had his second-career multi-interception game, returning both for touchdowns.
The Cardinal defense put pressure on the Quakers all night, finishing with six sacks as a unit. Junior defensive end Zack Grieves led Otterbein with seven tackles and a sack.
Otterbein held Wilmington to just four yards of total offense in the first half, and only 130 yards for the game. The Cardinals forced six turnovers, including four interceptions, and held the Quakers to just one third-down conversion in 12 attempts.
Female place-kicker Alana Gaither, a sophomore from Akron (Firestone), kicked two extra-points in the win. She is the first female to record a point in Otterbein football history.
The Cardinals return to action next Saturday when they host John Carroll University for homecoming. Kick off from Memorial Stadium is set for 2 p.m.
