(WESTERVILLE, Ohio) - All three phases score and a strong offensive first quarter helped the Quakers hold off Otterbein in a 54-41 victory on the road Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers opened the game with a statement. Otterbein punted on 4th and 4 and Darryl Story returned the punt for 65-yards to the house, putting Wilmington up 7-0 early in the first quarter. The Cardinals responded with a touchdown rush to tie the two 7-7.  

Wilmington answered as Isaac Ross found Bryce Stout for a two-yard touchdown pass to put the Quakers up 14-7. Ross scrambled for a 10-yard touchdown rush on Wilmington's next drive. On the Cardinals ensuring possession, Darrick Perdue recovered a fumble and scooped and scored to put Wilmington up 28-7. 

The Quakers went on to outscore Otterbein 21-0 in the rest of the first quarter after giving up the first touchdown. Wilmington's offense slowed down in the second quarter as Camden Marx nailed two field goals, one for 26 yards and one 28-yarder, to put the Quakers up 34-7.  

The Quaker defense limited Otterbein to 66 rushing yards in the first half and only 49 passing yards. The third quarter was full of fireworks, however. 

Otterbein scored quickly in the third quarter on a 54-yard touchdown pass to cut Wilmington's lead to 34-13. Ross responded with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Darryl Story to go up 40-13. The Cardinals answered with a 25-yard touchdown pass to go down 40-20. Wilmington closed out the third quarter with a 28-yard touchdown rush by Bryce Stout to lead 47-20.  

The Cardinals offense improved mightily in the fourth quarter. Otterbein completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to trail 47-27. Ross once again responded with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Amare Middleton to put the Quakers ahead 54-27. A 32-yard touchdown rush and a two-yard touchdown pass put the Cardinals down 13, but it was not enough as Wilmington won 54-41. 

Notables 

• Isaac Ross threw for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and completed 18 passes on. 30 attempts. He also rushed for a touchdown and gained 30 yards on the ground. 

• Amare Middleton caught two passes for 50 yards and one touchdown. His longest catch was for 44 yards. 

• Darryl Story caught one pass for 42 yards and a touchdown. He also returned three punts for 116 yards and a 65-yard touchdown. The last Wilmington punt returned for a touchdown was by Luke Richardson on November 10th, 2018, against Otterbein and also for 65 yards. 

• Bryce Stout ran for 129 yards on 17 attempts. He scored one touchdown on the ground and caught a touchdown as well. His longest rush was 29 yards. Stout caught two passes for nine yards.  

• Darrick Perdue recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. 

• Tyler Gregory recorded 12 total tackles (11 solo, 1 assist). He had one tackle for a loss. 

• Luke Wroten had 11 total tackles (10 solo, 1 assist). He had one tackle for a loss as well. 

• Bryce Hodapp and Jelani Hunter each combined for a 0.5 sack.  

• Camden Marx was 2/2 on field goals with a long of 28 yards.  

• The Quakers had 232 passing yards to the Cardinals' 177 yards. Wilmington averaged 12.9 yards per reception. 

• Wilmington ran for 184 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry.  
   

What's Up Next 

The Quakers stay on the road as they travel to take on Anderson University (IN) on Saturday, October 25, at 1:30 P.M.