NHS grad Fries wins ONU debut

ADA — Ohio Northern kicked the off its 2024 season and the Andy Fries era with a convincing 45-7 victory over Franklin (Ind.) on Sept. 7 in front of 2,312 in attendance at Dial-Roberson Stadium. Fries, a 2005 Norwalk graduate, was named the head football coach at the NCAA Division III school in December. Fries is the 29th head coach in the 129-year history of ONU football and is just the school's fourth head coach in the past 38 years. Fries comes to ONU after four seasons as assistant coach at Rose-Hulman (Ind.), where he served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 2020-23. After leaving Norwalk, Fries was a four-year letterwinner at Otterbein University. The three-year starter was a captain and two-time all-league selection. He stayed at the school as a graduate assistant (2010-12), then returned to Otterbein after stints at Lakeland College (2012-13) and Wilmington College (2013-15). Following two years in 2016-17 at his alma mater, Fries spent one season at Davenport, Mich. before he arrived to Rose-Hulman. Following Saturday's win, ONU head coaches are now 10-8 in their first game at the helm in the last 105 seasons, starting in 1919. Ohio Northern's offense rolled up 294 yards rushing and 394 yards of total offense. The Polar Bear defense limited the Grizzlies to just 156 yards of total offense. ONU led 31-0 at halftime and 38-0 after three quarters. The Polar Bears outgained the Grizzlies in total offense 394-156 and held the ball for 33:12. The Polar Bears are off on Sept. 14 and will play at Heidelberg University in their Ohio Athletic Conference opener on Sept. 21 in Tiffin.