Stagnant First Half Costs Defiance in Homecoming Setback

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Yellow Jacket defense scored a safety on Saturday's first possession, but that would prove to be one of the only highlights for Defiance in a 37-12 Homecoming loss against Hanover inside of Justin F. Coressel Stadium. [ITH Video Highlights]

The final stats did not reflect the outcome, as DC posted a season-high 378 total yards of offense to gain 62 more yards than the visiting Panthers on the afternoon. The Jackets also set their best marks of the year with 177 rushing yards and 201 yards through the air on 21 completions.

DC's forward progress was washed away by 11 penalties for 94 yards, along with four turnovers and another four possessions that ended with failed fourth-down attempts.

That was more than enough for Hanover, as the Panthers followed up a 13-point opening quarter with a trio of second-quarter strikes. The result was a 34-5 deficit for the Yellow Jackets heading into the intermission.

The gap would grow to 37-5 in the second half, before Jerry Blount busted loose for a dazzling 27-yard touchdown scamper that capped the scoring at the final tally of 37-12.

Blount ended the afternoon with 54 yards and a score on seven late carries, while Nick Wiedenhoft hauled in seven catches for 85 yards. Reserve quarterback, Aaron Spence, also excelled in late action, fueling an eight-play, 71-yard drive in the fourth quarter, before a deflected pass led to the fourth interception of the day for the Panthers and ended DC's final possession of the game.

Joemese Scott, James Buari and D.J. Brigham each registered one sack, while Blaine McGowan notched seven stops along with 2.5 tackles for lost yards and Eric Rubio tacked on seven hits.

Defiance (0-3, 0-1 HCAC) will face its first road tilt of the year on September 24, when it heads to Franklin (2-1, 1-0 HCAC) for a 1:30 pm start.