Mount Union defenders sack Otterbein

September 30, 2018 at 12:08a.m.

By JEFF ZUPANIC

WESTERVILLE

Mount Union’s defense blew up Otterbein’s offensive gameplan during a 56-14 win on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The Purple Raiders recorded a pair of sacks on the first three plays and were relentless the rest of the way. Senior Danny Robinson and junior Trey Williams got things rolling and the “Mount-mentum” never stopped.

Williams had three sacks and forced a fumble in the first quarter. Mount Union had six sacks as a team by seven different players while building a 21-0 lead. Williams finished the game with four sacks and five tackles for loss in just three quarters.

“That’s our mindset pretty much every game. We want to come out and take control of the game from the start,” Williams said.

At halftime, the Purple Raiders led 42-7 and had seven sacks while holding the Cardinals (1-4, 1-3 Ohio Athletic Conference) to minus-39 rushing yards.

Mount Union almost had more points than Otterbein had yards (45) in the first half. The Cardinals came into the game averaging five points per game and did get on the scoreboard with a 32-yard touchdown pass before the end of the half. The series was aided by a couple of roughing-the-passer the penalties that totaled 30 of the 70 yards.

Junior quarterback D’Angelo Fulford was sharp from the start. He completed his first seven passes and 13 of 17 in the first half for 184 yards and touchdowns to Justin Hill, Lucas Herrington and Demarco Haynes.

Hill finished with 100 yards on seven catches and had a 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. Herrington added a pair of TDs.

The Purple Raiders (4-0, 3-0 OAC) showed a little diversity in the second quarter by going to the wildcat offensive with junior Ernie Burkes under center. Burkes eventually scored a touchdown for a 28-0 lead.

Sophomore running back Josh Petruccelli made it 35-0 with an 8-yard run before Otterbein broke through with a touchdown.

“We didn’t play very well offensively against John Carroll and there was a sense of urgency for us to come out and not only play well, but to start well,” Mount Union head coach Vince Kehres said.

Mount Union finished with 460 yards and held Otterbein to minus-7 yards rushing and 139 yards total while recording 10 sacks.

“We have the feeling that when we step on the field that we should be able to dominate,” Williams said.