Yellow Jacket Defense Post Strong Performance

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College Yellow Jackets posted its strongest performance of the season to pace the way in its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest against Mount St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon at Justin F. Coressel Stadium. The Purple and Gold fell 20-0.

Defiance (0-7, 0-5) was led on the day by senior Derek Angelone (Gibsonburg) with a season-best 10 tackles (eight solo and two assisted).

As a team, the Purple and Gold registered 175-yards of total offense on 64 plays.

Despite a four-an-out on its opening drive, the Yellow Jacket defense brought the hammer as they halted the Lions offense forcing a 39-yard field goal attempt that missed wide right with under 13 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Defiance offensive struggles continued as Mount St. Joseph forced another punt that landed inside the Lions 40-yard line before senior Casey Helton (Defiance/Tinora) forced a fumble on the return that placed DC inside Mount territory. However, the Lions defense again responded forcing a turnover on downs with 8:01 remaining. The teams would end the first quarter in a 0-0 dead lock.

The Lions offense came alive early in the second quarter as they traveled 65-yards on six plays for the 6-0 advantage. The Purple and Gold looked to respond with 10:57 remaining in the half traveling 35-yards on nine plays before sophomore Logan Mico (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) was picked off inside the Lions 20-yard line. The game continued to be a defensive battle for the remainder of the half as neither team could find a score.

Mount St. Joseph would find its second score of the contest early in the second half as they traveled 35-yards on five plays to push the advantage to 13-0. Dc looked to respond as a 71-yard hookup between freshman Ryan Freeman (Palm Coast, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast) and junior Jason Santora (Avon) placed the Yellow Jackets inside the five yard line with 8:14 remaining in the third period. But again the Lion defense deemed too much as they forced another Defiance four-an-out.

The Purple and Gold offense would struggle for the remainder of the game as the Lions punched in one final score late in the fourth quarter en route to the 20-0 Conference victory.

Defiance returns to action on Saturday, October 27 as they play host to Rose-Hulman. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.