Warriors Come Up Short in Season Opener

OTTAWA, Kan. – After seeing its first three games of the season changed due to weather, Midland University officially opened its season against Ottawa University on Saturday at AdventHealth Field. The Braves scored on their first six possessions while keeping the Warriors scoreless until the final quarter, for the 45-12 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) win.

Ottawa had the opening possession and scored on their first drive, a six-play march that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jazlyn Camacho from Madysen Carrera. After the one-point conversion, the Braves led 7-0, with 8:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The Warriors first drive resulted in five plays, before a punt, giving the Braves the ball at their own 27-yard line. Ottawa executed its next possession flawlessly. An eight-play, 53-yard drive resulted in a Carrera to Alyssa Linkous four-yard touchdown pass. The one-point try failed, and with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Ottawa led 13-0.

In the second quarter, Midland quarterback Angel Ioane Kaio completed three straight passes, but the drive stalled, forcing the Warriors to punt. The Braves would score on their third straight possession when Carrera connected with Linkous on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Carrera's one-point conversion run failed, and with 7:49 remaining in the second quarter, Ottawa led 19-0.

The Warriors had their longest possession of the game, to that point, after the kickoff. Two completed passes and a quarterback scramble moved the ball to the midfield, however, two straight sacks of Kaio by Ottawa's Dejonice Parris, forced another Midland punt.

The Braves made quick work of their next possession. Carrera found Camacho for a 25-yard touchdown pass, capping off a two-play drive. The one-point PAT failed and with 2:06 remaining in the first half, Ottawa led 25-0.

Midland tried to get the offense clicking before intermission, but a Kaio pass was intercepted by Ottawa's Abby Brown and returned to the Midland 16-yard line. The Braves would add to the lead just before the break when Carrera scrambled on a 4th down at the Midland seven-yard line and found the endzone, to extend the lead, with one-minute remaining in the half. Carrera's one-point conversion was good, and Ottawa led 32-0, which would be the score at halftime.

The Warriors had the ball first, to begin the third quarter. Midland put together an 11-play drive, as Kaio completed five-of-nine passes before throwing her second interception on the game when Faron Malouff picked off an attempt at the goal line. Ottawa made the turnover count, when the Braves put together a five-play, sixty-six-yard drive, resulting in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Carrera to Cynthia Homs. The one-point PAT was good, and with 2:09 left in the third quarter, Ottawa led 39-0.

Kaio had her best passing drive of the game on the next possession, going four-for-four, and finding Myana Sigers on a 16-yard connection, putting the Warriors on the board on the opening play of the fourth quarter. The one-point conversion failed, and with 11:53 to play, Ottawa led 39-6.

After scoring on their first six possessions of the game, the Braves were forced to punt after a three-play drive that lost one yard. The Warriors found the endzone on their second-straight possession when Kaio completed a six-yard pass to Mikaela Nunez with 56 seconds remaining. The conversion was no good, and Ottawa led 39-12.

The Braves scored once more as they executed a 10-play drive that took 32 seconds. Carrera was able to find Marley Spielberg on a 25-yard touchdown pass, to extend the lead. The conversion failed, and with 24 seconds remaining, Ottawa led 45-12.

Midland was able to run two more plays, but the latter was a Kaio pass that was intercepted by Parris, sealing the final result.

Statistically, Ottawa ran 43 plays for 352 yards. Midland ran 42 plays, accounting for 182 yards. The Braves were 25-of-37 throwing the ball, for 303 yards. Midland was 22-of-36 for 188 yards, through the air. Ottawa ran the ball six times for 49 yards, while Midland had six rushing attempts for -6 yards, in total.

The Braves defense totaled four sacks on the afternoon and picked off three Midland passes.

Midland's Angel Ioane Kaio was 22-of-36 passing for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Kaio had all six of the Warriors' carries on the day, for -6 yards. Mikaela Nunez was the top Warrior receiver, catching four passes for 50 yards and one touchdown. Myana Sigers had a pair of grabs for 23 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, Midland's Cydnee Redd had seven tackles. Nadiya Simpson added six stops and one pass breakup. Emily Ferron had five tackles, plus a pass breakup. Allaya Livingston tallied two tackles and broke up one pass.

Midland (0-1, 0-1 in KCAC) will host Baker (1-1) on Tuesday, February, 27 at 5:00 p.m. at Heedum Field in Fremont.