Wide receiver Otis Brown played his best game of the season Saturday at Kent State, showing the speed that makes him a game-changing player.
His performance indicated he was back from a sprained ankle that has limited him for the last few weeks. But Brown was dealing with more than his own injury Saturday.
Brown's aunt Erika Ferguson died Friday, leaving him playing with a heavy heart the next day. He honored her with his second touchdown of the season.
"I was just playing for my aunt [Saturday]," he said. "I love her and rest in peace to my aunt."
Middle linebacker Travis Freeman said the Cardinals came together to help Brown through his struggles.
"Some love and support from a teammate can also make a person feel better," Freeman said. "I think that's what the team is for, because it's like your second family. You try and comfort and play for him, and things like that."
Despite everything going on around him, Brown led the Cardinals with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown in the 33-14 loss. Brown was just one yard shy of matching Ball State's single-game high this season, set the week before at Toledo by fellow freshman wide receiver Jack Tomlinson.
Brown also joined Tomlinson as the only Cardinals wide receivers with two touchdowns this season. Quarterback Keith Wenning found him wide open in the middle of the field, and Brown turned the play into a 33-yard touchdown.
"Otis gives us some very, very good quickness," coach Stan Parrish said. "Otis gives us a guy that can take it all the way to the house and we've got to get the ball in his hands. He's progressing very well."
Brown was just happy to be able to get in the end zone against Kent State, especially given the circumstances.
"It felt good," Brown said. "The O-line held it up and Briggs got the pick on the play, so I was able to get the corner."
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