In a statement victory to open the 2023 season for the Ottawa University Spirit, OUAZ put up an electric opening quarter to claim another rivalry win over Arizona Christian at home.
Ottawa opened the preseason NAIA rankings in the 17th position and came out of the gates swinging with 21 points in the opening quarter to set the tone of the game. Junior quarterback, Luke Giron completed 21 of his 32 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 59 yards and a TD.
After a high-octane first quarter, OUAZ never looked back with touchdowns from senior, Da’Vicious Wilson, and freshman, Marshawn Buchanan. Senior kicker, Landon Reeves, also knocked in three field goals, including a 44-yard conversion.
The Spirit are now 4-2 all-time against Arizona Christian since the OUAZ program was born in 2018 and have won their past three season openers.
Ottawa University has finished above .500 in every season in program history and is in search of its third trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series, joining the appearances in 2019 and 2021.
OUAZ begins a three-game road trip in the Lone Star State as Ottawa battles Texas Wesleyan, Texas College, and SAGU (TX). The Spirit returns home on Sept. 30 against Wayland Baptist (TX).
Devon Henry
