SURPRISE — Texas Wesleyan University (5-5, 5-2) lost to Ottawa University - Arizona (7-2, 6-1) 33-14 on Saturday. Texas Wesleyan threw for 221 yards but was sacked six times and held to 46 rushing yards.
After an early OUAZ field goal, Texas Wesleyan answered with the first quarter's only touchdown drive, going 76 yards in 11 plays and moving in front 7-3 on
Tajari Wellington's 1-yard run and
Christian Munguia's extra point at 6:11. Earlier, the Rams were pinned at their own 2 on the opening possession and later lost a fumble after
Maurice Griffin's 14-yard rush, but
Izack Villasenor recovered an OUAZ fumble six seconds later to end that red-zone threat. Texas Wesleyan turned that takeaway into its scoring march, highlighted by
Kendrick McClodden's 10-yard run, Wellington's 21-yard completion to Makhi Whitney and a 6-yard third-down pass to Jacoby Miles that was followed by a roughing-the-passer penalty. After the touchdown, the defense opened OUAZ's next drive with a sack shared by
Danny Washington and Easton Shultz, though OUAZ later advanced into Texas Wesleyan territory as the first quarter moved toward its close.
In the second quarter, Texas Wesleyan's defense supplied the central development, limiting OUAZ to one field goal and closing the half with Jamayle Sampson's interception at the Texas Wesleyan 11, which he returned 48 yards to the OUAZ 41. Earlier, OUAZ opened the second quarter in Texas Wesleyan territory, but quarterback hurries by
Jaden Fisher and
Colin Johnson on consecutive incompletions helped hold the drive to Eric Cline's 28-yard field goal at 13:27. Texas Wesleyan's first possession overcame an early sack when
Tajari Wellington found Jacoby Miles for 22 yards on third-and-14, though the drive ended with a
Max Luna punt from the OUAZ 49. On OUAZ's next extended series, Jemari Seals recorded an 8-yard sack, and
John Rector and Fisher later combined on a third-down sack near midfield to force a punt. Wellington's 15-yard third-down completion to Whitney kept Texas Wesleyan's final full drive alive before another punt, and the defense's final stop sent Texas Wesleyan to halftime ahead 7-6.
In the third quarter, Texas Wesleyan kept OUAZ out of the end zone after the home team reached the Texas Wesleyan 1, with Frankie Ward-Long and
Jaden Fisher combining on a third-down stop before OUAZ settled for a 24-yard field goal at 9:57. The Rams' first possession produced an 11-yard
Kendrick McClodden run but ended in a punt, and the defense answered with a quick stop highlighted by
Jakharyn Parks' breakup on third down. Texas Wesleyan then put together its best march of the third quarter, moving from its own 10 to the OUAZ 27 behind Wellington completions to Whitney, Jacoby Miles and
Sean Smith, plus a roughing-the-passer penalty, before a sack helped stall the drive. After OUAZ reached the Texas Wesleyan 29 late, the Rams got a third-down tackle from
John Rector and took over on downs, then closed the third quarter with McClodden's nine-yard run and trailed 9-7 entering the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Texas Wesleyan spent the period chasing OUAZ after the home side added a 27-yard field goal, two rushing touchdowns and Brayden Faber's 43-yard interception return, with Luke Giron's 10-yard touchdown run making it 33-7 with 2:14 left. Earlier, Texas Wesleyan's defense limited OUAZ to Eric Cline's field goal after a 61-yard completion reached the Texas Wesleyan 15, helped by an OUAZ holding penalty and
Izack Villasenor's third-down stop for no gain. The Rams' offense converted a third down on
Tajari Wellington's 10-yard pass to Whitney and later crossed midfield after a 13-yard completion to Whitney and an OUAZ penalty, but one drive ended on the interception return and another on downs at the OUAZ 46. Texas Wesleyan answered late with its quickest scoring possession of the fourth quarter, as Wellington ran for six yards and then hit
Landrew Ward for a 69-yard touchdown before
Christian Munguia's extra point. OUAZ recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to finish Texas Wesleyan's 33-14 loss.
Wellington completed 16 of 38 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a score. Whitney caught six passes for 72 yards. Ward scored on his lone reception, finishing with 69 yards and a touchdown.
Evenn Head recorded 14 tackles.
Luke Giron completed 10 of 17 passes for 169 yards and rushed 18 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Eric Cline converted all four field-goal attempts, with a long of 39 yards, and made all three PATs. Brayden Faber recorded an interception and returned one 43 yards for a touchdown. Isaiah Dickerson carried 23 times for 82 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams will close out the regular Saturday in Plainview as they take on Wayland Baptist University at 2 p.m.
