Braves Strike Early and Late to Defeat Warriors

OTTAWA, Kan. – Midland University faced off against Ottawa University on Sunday afternoon at  AdventHealth Field. The Braves defeated the Warriors, 38-7, in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Association (KCAC) action to remain unbeaten on the season.

Ottawa opened the game with a touchdown on their first drive when Madysen Carrera connected with Jazalyn Camacho for an 8-yard score. The conversion attempt failed, giving Ottawa a 6-0 lead with 9:10 left in the first quarter.

Midland put together a 10-play drive on its first possession, but an Angel Ioane Kaio pass was intercepted by Ottawa's Susan Kaufmann and returned 51 yards for a touchdown. The conversion failed again, extending Ottawa's lead to 12-0 with 3:00 remaining in the first.

The Warriors responded with a seven-play drive on their next possession, but a Kaio pass into the end zone was intercepted, halting the scoring threat early in the second quarter.

After forcing an Ottawa punt, Midland regained possession and put together its lone scoring drive of the game. Kaio capped a seven-play march with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Allaya Livingston. The conversion was successful, cutting Ottawa's lead to 12-7 with 2:27 left in the half.

In the third quarter, Midland attempted a go-ahead drive, but the Braves' defense intercepted Kaio for the third time with 8:31 remaining. Ottawa capitalized on the turnover, as Carrera rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. Another failed conversion left the Braves ahead 18-7 with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter.

Ottawa pulled away in the fourth quarter, beginning with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Carrera to Marley Spielberg with 9:34 to play. A successful conversion pushed the lead to 25-7.

After forcing a Midland punt, the Braves struck again as Carrera connected with Spielberg for another touchdown pass with 4:21 remaining. The conversion failed, but Ottawa extended its advantage to 31-7.

Midland turned the ball over on downs on its next possession, and Ottawa sealed the win with Carrera's second rushing touchdown of the night—a 4-yard run. The successful conversion gave the Braves a 38-7 lead with 49 seconds left, securing the victory.

Ottawa totaled 272 yards of offense to Midland's 217. Braves quarterback Madysen Carrera completed 23 of 30 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. She also rushed seven times for 20 yards and two scores. Tatiana Dos Santos caught seven passes for 91 yards, while Jazalyn Camacho had four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Marly Spielberg added six catches for 43 yards and two scores. Defensively, Leilani Caamel led Ottawa with eight tackles. Kaufmann, Jukanie Washington, and Taliyan McInnis each recorded an interception, with Kaufmann returning hers for a touchdown.

For Midland, Angel Ioane Kaio completed 29 of 41 passes for 199 yards, throwing one touchdown and three interceptions. Emily Ferron led the receiving corps with nine catches for 67 yards, while Livingston added five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Cydnee Redd paced the Warriors' defense with 10 tackles.

Midland (5-6, 2-4 KCAC) returns to action on Saturday, April 5, when it hosts Southwestern (XXX). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Heedum Field in Fremont.