BEREA, Ohio – The #16 Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets hosted the Otterbein University Cardinals today for another Ohio Athletic Conference matchup on Tressel Field at George Finnie Stadium. The Yellow Jackets took care of business, defeating the Cardinals 63-16 to remain undefeated on the season, improving to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
Game Recap
Otterbein opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 8:29 remaining in the first quarter. BW responded on its ensuing possession as senior quarterback Charlie Bubonics connected with Seandelle Gardner for a 45-yard touchdown pass to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-3 advantage.
The Cardinals regained the lead, 9-7, on a 46-yard touchdown run by Duke Corley. However, the Yellow Jackets answered again as Bubonics found junior Connor Awad for a 25-yard touchdown reception with 1:39 remaining in the opening quarter to carry a 14-9 lead into the second quarter.
The Yellow Jackets extended their advantage midway through the second quarter with an 11-play, 81-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from junior George Linberger. After the defense forced an Otterbein punt, BW took over at the Cardinals' 34-yard line and capitalized on the short field and Bubonics finished the drive by connecting with junior Xavier Balson for a two-yard touchdown pass with 3:44 remaining in the half.
BW added one more touchdown before halftime when Bubonics broke free for an 11-yard rushing score, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive giving the Yellow Jackets a 35-9 advantage heading into the locker room.
The offense continued its momentum in the third quarter. Following the opening kickoff, BW marched 74 yards on 11 plays, with Bubonics finding Balson for a six-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-9.
After TJ Gibbons forced a fumble on Otterbein's next possession, BW capitalized with a four-play, 65-yard drive. Bubonics connected with Awad for a 35-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 49-9 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter.
BW added its third touchdown of the quarter when junior Boston Mulinix finished an eight-play, 50-yard drive with a one-yard rushing score and gave the Yellow Jackets a 56-9 lead entering the final quarter of play.
Otterbein added a touchdown on a 49-yard pass from Dom Back to Brian McGrady with 8:36 remaining. BW answered on its next possession as freshman quarterback Frankie Trinetti connected with junior Hunter Hall for a 26-yard touchdown pass. The five-play, 65-yard drive pushed the advantage to 63-16, which stood as the final score.
Gardner highlighted the victory by setting a new BW single-season record with his 11th touchdown reception of the season, surpassing the previous mark of 10 set by Lance Yandell in 1993.
Bubonics completed 20-of-29 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown. Linberger led the ground game with 150 yards on 19 carries, while Mulinix added 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. Awad finished with five receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while Balson also recorded five catches and two scores.
Defensively, junior Blake Hopkins led the Yellow Jackets with 10 tackles. Junior TJ Gibbons and sophomore Anthony Carter each added eight tackles leading the defense to limit Otterbein to just 335 total yards.
The Matchup
The win continues BW's dominance over the Cardinals as they improve to 43-12-1 all-time, including eight straight victories.
Looking Ahead
The Yellow Jackets will be on the road the next two weeks as they take on Wilmington College next Saturday, October 31st at 1:30 p.m. followed by a highly-anticipated matchup against Mount Union on Saturday, November 7th at 4:00 p.m. on the FloSports Channel on Amazon Prime Video.
