Box Score Thomas will have to take the long route to the NAIA Flag Football Championship after falling to Ottawa (KS), 19-0, Friday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  Each game that Thomas has participated in during the championship tournament has resulted in a team being scoreless during the contest.  Unfortunately, for the Night Hawks, they were on the receiving end of the shutout this time.  

With the loss, Thomas will drop down to the elimination bracket, and face an undetermined opponent at 9 AM on Saturday morning.  A win in the early game will mean a rematch against Ottawa, the nation's top team, at 2 PM.  The Night Hawks will not only have to defeat Ottawa at 2 PM, but must also defeat the Braves again at 4:30 PM to claim the 2023 crown.  A loss in any one of the potentially three contests on the day will result in the Night Hawks ending their season short of their goal of a championship.  Ottawa is the two-time defending national champion.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Thomas took the opening drive and drove straight down the field, but failed to capitalize on an open opportunity, created by a Brave blown coverage.  The Night Hawks would ultimately turn the ball over on downs, just outside of the red zone.

Ottawa would turn around and drive down the field against the Night Hawks and score six play later (conversion good).  OU 7 TU 0.  Both teams continued to play excelled defense throughout the remainder of the half.  Ottawa would, however, score with just 16-seconds remaining on the clock in the 2nd quater to increase their lead (conversion failed).  OU 13 TU 0.

Thomas would make a halftime adjustment, by moving Gisele Jones from her cornerback position to the spy position, to help contain Ottawa quarterback Madysen Carrera, who had accounted for 100 yards passing and 56 yards rushing at the half.  The strategy seemed to work, but a deflected pass from Carrera to Jazlyn Camacho, for 64-yards, set the Braves up on the TU 1-yard line.  Ottawa would score one play later to seal the game (conversion failed).  OU 19 TU 0.

NOTES

• Brittney Delva and Kiera Knight let the Night Hawks in receiving.  Delva had nine receptions for 76 yards.  Knight had eight receptions for 62 yards.  Gisele Jones added five catches for 15 yards.
• Janae Scott led the Night Hawks defensively with 11 tackles and one interception.  Brittney Delva contributed six tackles.  Gisele Jones had five tackes and two sacks.
• The Night Hawks did not punt the ball during the game.

Follow Thomas Flag Football at https://tunighthawks.com/sports/womens-flag-football for updates on the Night Hawks pursuit of a National Championship.  For complete coverage of Night Hawks Athletics, please visit www.tunighthawks.com to stay updated with the latest news, scores, game previews and recaps.  Follow the Night Hawks on social media at @TU_Night_Hawks (Twitter), @tunighthawks (Instagram), and @thomasuniversityathletics (Facebook).