DC Football Ends 2011 Campaign with Loss

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The 2011 football season came to a bitter end on Saturday at Justin F. Coressel Stadium, as Defiance suffered a 46-27 loss to Bluffton in the final game of the year. [ITH Video Highlights]

The visiting Beavers wasted no time taking control of the action, reaching the end zone on each of their first three possessions to take a 20-0 lead midway through the opening period. Bluffton needed only eight plays and used just 2:31 of clock time to complete the three scoring drives.

Defiance momentarily slowed the momentum by forcing a BU punt on the ensuing possession, before Bluffton switched gears and used scoring drives of 10 and 11 plays to expand the gap to 30-0 at the half.

The Jackets rebounded with a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Joemese Scott to start the second-half scoring and went on to outscore BU by a 27-16 margin in the final 30 minutes of play. The rally was far too late however, as Defiance ultimately fell by a 46-27 margin.

Drew Kuesel highlighted the afternoon with a pair of rushing touchdowns, while Rick Powell completed 15 passes for 146 yards and a 27-yard touchdown strike to Wallace Archie.

Blaine McGowan led the defense with 16 tackles, while Gregg Pickett had 13 and Hunter Robertson ended with 10.

Defiance ends the year with a 4-6 overall record and a 4-4 clip in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.