Tabor opens KCAC play with 44-25 win over Ottawa

Dmitri Bowie tackles the Ottawa ballcarrier during the first half Saturday. The Tabor College football team put its first win of the 2016 season in the books with a 44-25 victory over Ottawa Saturday night.

Tabor never trailed, and the Bluejays gained momentum offensively as the game went on.

The Bluejays held a 7-0 lead at the first break, thanks to a 15-yard touchdown pass from Curry Parham to Zach Johnson to cap a 14-play, 81-yard drive.

Jared Slavens made three field goals in the second quarter, from distances of 25, 32 and 36 yards. Ottawa, meanwhile, got on the board with a 68-yard touchdown pass at the 6:49 mark. The first half ended with Tabor leading, 16-6.

Ottawa snagged an interception on Tabor’s first possession of the second half, which led to a Brave touchdown on an 11-yard run. The nine-play, 42-yard drive narrowed the gap to 16-12.

Tabor needed just three plays to answer, thanks to a 75-yard touchdown pass from Parham to Johnson that put Tabor in front, 23-12.

The Braves responded by scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run on the 15th play of their ensuing drive to draw within 23-19.

Again Tabor had an answer, taking advantage of a short field after a 51-yard kickoff return by Johnson and a personal foul penalty on Ottawa. Taking over at the Brave 28, the Bluejays were in the end zone after three plays. Parham completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Skylar Valencia for the score, increasing Tabor’s lead to 30-19. That margin held through the end of the third quarter.

Jonah McKee carries the ball during the first half against Ottawa. McKee led the Tabor rushing game in the Bluejays’ 44-25 win.The teams traded scores early in the fourth quarter. Tabor added a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Jonah McKee. But Ottawa responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass that made it 37-25 with 5:02 to play.

Maurice Payne later intercepted an Ottawa pass and ran it back for a touchdown to increase Tabor’s lead to 44-25 after Slavens’ extra-point kick. Payne cut Ottawa’s next drive short with a second interception, and Tabor was able to run out the final 1:14.

Tabor rolled up 481 yards of offense, compared with 346 for Ottawa.

Through the air, Parham was 10-for-16 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Keith Thomas was 2-for-2 for 35 yards. Johnson hauled in four receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Tabor gained 232 yards on the ground, led by McKee with 12 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown.

Alex Neuschafer led the defense with nine tackles, including one tackle for a loss. Evan Sprayberry forced two fumbles.

Coming—Tabor (1-0, 1-1) will travel to the University of Saint Mary Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. game. The Spires (1-0, 2-1) come into the game off a bye week, having most recently defeated Friends, 41-28.

For scores and updates during games, follow Janae on Twitter @janaerem13

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