Seniors turn around OU football team's fortunes

Ottawa University senior football players have been a focused group. Many of them have been the mainstays of the program the past four years.

The team has progressed each season. In their freshman season, Ottawa went 1-9. The next year, the Braves improved to 4-6 and last year went 8-2.

The seniors have guided Ottawa to a No. 7 national NAIA ranking and a perfect 8-0 mark so far.

Ottawa will honor its seniors at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the final regular-season home game against Bethany.

Senior linebacker Casey Calhoun remembers the hurt of the 1-9 campaign and how those players’ mindset was to not let that happen again.

Last season, Ottawa was so close to getting a playoff berth, but stubbed its toe in the final game against Sterling.

That hurt was felt throughout the winter, spring and summer.

Calhoun said those kinds of things helped bring the players closer together and imbued them with a lot of resolve.

Junior fullback Michael Wickley, who redshirted with those seniors during the 2006 season, said this is an important game.

“We want to send the seniors off right,” he said. “This program has come a long way. It is special [for them].”

Ottawa coach Kent Kessinger said it will be nice to recognize the seniors before the game. He said those four-year players have been through a lot, but they have grown from those experiences.

“They got a lot of playing time [early],” Kessinger said. “That is benefitting them now.”

Some of the seniors have been the glue of the program, not necessarily stars.

“I want to help the team anyway I can,” Calhoun, who switched from offense to defense the past two seasons, said. “You always have to be ready.”

Ottawa is closing in on the best season in the program’s history. Ottawa has broken 11 school records this season and is close to several more.

No Ottawa team ever has gone 10-0 during the regular season. Ottawa also never has been the host of an NAIA playoff game.

All of those things are within the grasp of the Braves in the final two weeks of the regular season.

“We need to take care of ourselves,” Kessinger said.

One way is to look for ways to improve in every facet. The coach said Ottawa needs to be more consistent on offense.

“We slowed down a little in our hurry up offense,” Kessinger said. “We want to remain fast.”

The defense came up with its best performance in limiting Kansas Wesleyan to 201 yards of offense. The defense came up with 11 sacks.

“We used our speed,” Kessinger said. “We have good quickness in our defensive line.”

Another area of focus is punt return. Kessinger said Ottawa can have longer returns.

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com.