Yellow Jackets Falter Against Manchester on Gridiron

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College football team saw its four-game win streak come to an abrupt end on Saturday inside of Justin F. Coressel Stadium, as Manchester kept the Jackets off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter in a 32-6 defeat. [ITH Video Highlights]

The visiting Spartans used a balanced attack in the victory, racking up 216 rushing yards, 140 yards through the air and four field goals to take control. MC used field goals from 32, 37, 40 and 42 yards out, along with a 38-yard touchdown strike to build an 18-0 advantage late in the third quarter.

Another Manchester score at the 6:11 mark of the final period extended the spread to 25-0, before Defiance found the end zone with a 14-yard scamper from Rick Powell for the Jackets' lone score of the afternoon. MC would answer 56 seconds later with its third and final touchdown of the contest, capping the scoring and handing the Purple and Gold a 32-6 setback.

Drew Kuesel averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the loss, ending with 80 yards on 14 touches, while Powell ran it 16 times for 31 yards and the lone score.

Blaine McGowan paced the Yellow Jacket defense with nine total stops, with Matt Forry adding eight hits and Mason Foulk ending with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Josh Slayton had six tackles and a pair of pass breakups.

Defiance (4-5, 4-3 HCAC) will close its 2011 campaign on Saturday, November 12, when it hosts Bluffton (4-5, 4-3 HCAC) for a 1:30 pm start.