Defiance Falls at Area Rival Bluffton

BLUFFTON, OHIO - The Yellow Jackets traveled south this afternoon to square off with area rival Bluffton University in the Battle for the Hammer at Alumni Field where the Purple and Gold fell in their season finale, 34-7.

Defiance (1-9 overall, 1-7 HCAC) recorded 152 yards of offense led by senior running back, Corey Bennett (Tampa, Fla./Blake) with 104 yards on the ground.

The Purple and Gold got the ball to open the contest taking the opening drive 45 yards on nine plays to the Bluffton 16 before the Beavers forced a turnover on downs. 

The BU offense posted a statement early as they took their opening drive 84 yards on eight plays for the first quarter score, 6-0. They would push the lead on the following drive using their aerial attack to capture the 13-0 advantage midway through the first period.

The Yellow Jackets offense responded traveling 58 yards on 12 plays for their only touchdown of the contest. DC opened the drive on the Bluffton 43 where Bennett rushed for a three yard pick-up. Sophomore quarterback Logan Mico (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) followed it up with a five yard rush setting the stage for a short third down conversion. Bennett continued his dominate ground performance rushing for 13 yards to the Bluffton 28 before churning 11 more yards for the touchdown, 13-7.

However, Bluffton responded taking the ball 39 yards on five plays for the final score of the first half, 20-7.

BU got the ball to start the second half wasting little time posting seven more as they traveled 27 yards on two plays for another Bluffton score, 27-7. 

Trailing 34-7 midway through the third quarter, DC tried to get something going before Bennett fumbled the ball on the Defiance 36 propeling Bluffton to its final score of the game, 34-7. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman Rigo Villa (Ft. Meyers, Fla./Lehigh) with two tackles and an interception. 

The game concluded the 2018 sseason for the Purple and Gold.