The Cardinals are coming off a 24-17 road loss to Capital (2-0, 1-0 OAC). In that contest, Otterbein led 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter. The Crusaders scored twice in the final frame, including a 42-yard touchdown pass with 1:44 remaining to earn the win. The Cardinals’ Josh Braden had a game-best 142 yards rushing on 36 carries while wide receiver Ricardo Lenhart totaled five receptions for 69 yards. Overall, Otterbein out-gained the Crusaders 273 yards to 203 yards in the contest.

In Otterbein’s season-opening 41-6 victory against Defiance, Braden had 143 yards rushing on 31 carries. On the year, Braden has 67 carries for 285 yards and two rushing scores while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Quarterback Matt Downing is 24-of-43 (.558) for 264 yards passing while tossing two touchdown passes and a pair of interceptions. Lenhart leads the squad with 11 receptions and a 17.1 yard per catch average with a pair of scores.

Defensively, the Cardinals’ leading tacklers include defensive back Dan Dustin (14 hits), linebacker Nathan Speiser (11 hits/3 tfl/2 sacks/1 fr) and safety Kieran Johnson (10 hits/3 tfl/2 sacks/1 fr).

After two weeks of play, the Cardinals average 313.0 yards per contest while allowing 217.5 yards per game. Otterbein has five sacks while allowing three. The Cardinals have a +3 turnover ratio.

The Purple Raiders have a 38-0 road win over Washington (MO) and a 55-3 home victory versus John Carroll. Against the Blue Streaks, the Raiders had a pair of defensive touchdowns and a punt block return for a score. Cornerback Wade Kirk picked up safety Ken Whitfield’s punt block and returned it 15 yards for a score. Safety Jesse Clum had a 72 yard interception return for a score and linebacker Anthony Frate had a 15 yard pick for a touchdown.

In the young season, the Raiders have outscored their opponents 93 to 3 while averaging 496.0 yards of offense compared to their opponents’ 153.5 yards per game. Mount Union has a +3 turnover ratio. The Raiders have 12 sacks while allowing four.

Individually, quarterback Zac Bruney is 36-of-49 (.735) for 533 yards while tossing six touchdown passes and two interceptions. Defensively, Mount Union is led by middle linebacker Shaun Spisak (16 hits/1 INT/1 fr), outside linebacker Mike Gibbons (10 hits/4 tfl/2 sacks), linebacker Anthony Frate (9 hits/3 tfl/2 sacks/1 fr) and end Johnny Josef (6 hits/4 tfl/3 sacks).

Mount Union leads the series 32-4 and has won the last 25 meetings dating back to Otterbein’s 24-17 win in 1977. The coaching match up features Otterbein’s Joe Loth (11-30 career/4-8/2nd year at OC) and Mount Union’s Larry Kehres (207-18-3/19th year).

The Purple Raiders enter week #3 riding a 96 game regular season winning streak and an 86 game regular season OAC win streak. Overall, the Raiders have won 111 of the last 113 games played.

The contest will be carried live on WRMU 91.1 FM Alliance and on WDPN 1310 AM Alliance. Next week (Oct. 2), the Raiders travel to Capital for a 1:30 p.m. kick-off.