Box Score
OWENSBORO, Ky. – Dakota Bruggeman threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as Alderson Broaddus emerged as the winner of the inaugural Founders Cup Game vs. Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday, 48-29.
The Battlers (7-4) were able to ultimately win the right to transport the bronze prize back to display on campus in Philippi, where KWC will wait for next year’s game to try and win it back.
AB was also able to celebrate career win No. 100 for head coach Dennis Creehan, icing on the cake for what already was a historic day.
Great Midwest Athletic Conference Commissioner Tom Daeger was present at today’s game on the gridiron to make the official presentation.
Bruggeman and his Kentucky Wesleyan counterpart Dalton Oliver unleashed an aerial attack at Steele Stadium during KWC’s Senior Day with a 60-pound mining cart on the line.
The two combined for nearly 700 yards through the air and totaled seven passing scores. In the end, Bruggeman outdueled Oliver as Alderson Broaddus' early offensive flurry turned out to be a difference maker.
Oliver headlines a strong senior core for the Panthers (4-5), who were coming off an impressive win against UNC-Pembroke a week ago. The senior quarterback threw three touchdowns and amassed nearly 300 yards on 29 completions.
Three receivers had 100 yards or more receiving. AB’s Cooper Schroeder reeled in eight catches for 126 yards and a score while Jacob Miller had 119 yards on six grabs.
KWC’s electrifying all-purpose standout Keelan Cole was at it again with double-digit receptions (11), 136 yards and two more touchdowns. He also ran for a 25-yard score.
Alderson Broaddus burst out of the gates with the game’s first 21 points before KWC responded with a 10-yard scoring strike from Oliver to Xavier Mitchell in the second quarter.
Both teams would trade another touchdown before halftime as the Battlers enjoyed a 28-14 cushion at the break.
Following a low-scoring third quarter, both teams picked up the offense again with two touchdowns each in the final period.