SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Louisiana Christian University football program had the ball down three with just under two-and-a-half minutes in regulation on their own two-yard line. The Wildcats faced 4th-and-6 from their own 43-yard line . . . the following reception got them five yards to the 42 and the chains revealed that LCU came mere inches away from converting the first down. The Spirit kneeled out the rest of the clock to win, 27-24 to hand the Orange and Blue their first loss in over a full calendar year.
 
The last defeat suffered by Coach Maddox's team came all the way back on October 1, 2022 at Oklahoma Panhandle State and the men from Pineville went on to rattle off a Louisiana-best 13-game winning streak up until Saturday night.

The Basics:
 

• Score
  • #24 Ottawa (Arizona) – 27
  • (RV) Louisiana Christian – 24

 

• Records
  • #24 Ottawa-Arizona (6-1, 5-1 Sooner)
  • (RV) Louisiana Christian (7-1, 5-1 Sooner)

 

• Location
  • Surprise, Arizona – Spirit Field

 

• Series History
  • Ottawa (Arizona) Leads 3-0 (0%)

 

• Winning Streak
  • Ottawa-Arizona (W3) | Louisiana Christian's Last Win: N/A

 
Wildcats Top Performers:
 

• Sal Palermo III played a role in all three Wildcats touchdowns, scoring the team's only rushing touchdown on a QB sneak and tossing a pair through the air.

 

• He finished the night completing 66.7% of his passes (22-of-33) for 174 yards.

 

• Andre Reed was the top tackler for the defense with nine (five solo) on top of 1.5 tackles for loss.

 

• Ernest Simons made half of his takedowns in the Ottawa backfield, fronting the Wildcats with a career-high 2.5 TFLs over five tackles.

 

• Logan Brimmer had the lone sack of the evening, seven tackles plus a forced fumble while Detavius Eldridge logged a multi-TFL outing (2) and Jordan Oglesby popped the pigskin free as well.

 

• The trio of Pop McGhee, Cole Jones, and Bennie Clark III all knocked down one pass attempt apiece.

 

• Ethan Christman was the squad's top target in the passing game with a team-most five receptions and 60 yards including his second career score as Marc Denison came down with the other touchdown grab.

 

• Devin Briscoe tied for the catches crown with five as well, setting a new career-high in the process in addition to topping 100 total yards of offense (104 total, 71 rushing, 33 receiving).

 

• Daylon Charles ran for 83 yards to lead all game participants as he averaged 6.9 yards per carry.

 

• Mason Ingram averaged an even 40 yards per punt on a quartet of boots that traveled 160 yards with one of those landing in the Ottawa red zone and the other three getting fair caught.

 

• Hunter Martensson made his one field goal attempt from 31 yards away to go along with a kickoff touchback plus two PATs.

 
Notes:
 

• The Cats forced multiple fumbles for the first time in 2023 but could not recover either loose ball while it was only the second contest without a forced turnover.

 
Next:
 

• Louisiana Christian will look to take out its frustrations on the SAGU Lions Saturday at 2 p.m. in the annual Homecoming football game.

Follow the football program on Facebook (@LCUWildcatsFootball), Twitter/X (@LCU_Ftball) and Instagram (@LCU_Ftball).
 
Follow the Wildcats on Facebook (@LCUAthletics), Twitter/X (@LCU_Wildcats) and Instagram (@LCU_Wildcats).