Yellow Jackets open season with 34-10 loss at Concordia

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Defiance College opened the football program's first season in the NAIA since 1990 with a 34-10 loss to the Concordia Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on Saturday.

Meeting on a cool and overcast afternoon in Ann Arbor, it was the first meeting between the two programs since Concordia added football in 2011. The Cardinals (1-1) earned their first win of the season after dropping their opener at Olivet Nazarene last week. The Yellow Jackets (0-1) got their first taste of their new level of competition as Concordia entered the game receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25.

The Cardinals recorded the first score of the game after a slow start offensively and went on to open up a 17-0 lead by halftime. Following the half, Concordia tacked on another field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter to widen the lead to 27.

Defiance wiped out the shutout late in the third quarter when quarterback Jehlani Warren linked up with Dazzmon Garrett for a 28-yard score. Shortly after a near strip-sack was ruled down by contact to preserve the DC drive, the Jackets rolled the dice on fourth-and-1 and it paid off with Garrett going uncovered over the middle and hauled in the pass near the 2-yard line.

The Yellow Jackets also produced points on their final possession of the game. With Michale Wingfield inserted at quarterback, he quickly connected with freshman receiver Caleb Johnson on a 39-yard pass play down to the Concordia 11. That connection was Defiance's longest play from scrimmage in the game. Concordia's defense held strong and forced DC to opt for a 34-yard field, which was made by Zeke Sanchez.

THE TURNING POINT
After pinning the Cardinals at their own 1 early in the second quarter, Defiance had prime field position near midfield and survived an interception wiped out due to a penalty on Concordia. However, nothing formulated for DC before having to punt the ball back. In response, Concordia used three plays of 20 yards or more to punch in their second touchdown of the afternoon capped off by a 29-yard score by Brandon Stewart. The drive was aided by a horse collar penalty against Defiance before Concordia claimed a two-score lead.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Concordia amassed 512 yards compared to 230 for Defiance, 316 of which was on the ground. The Cardinals' Brandon Stewart produced the most offense in the game with 127 yards on just nine carries and two touchdowns.
• Concordia also employed nine plays of 20 yards or more to rack up their gaudy offensive totals.
• Defiance had three plays over 20 yards, all in the passing game. Aside from big catches by Garrett for a touchdown and Johnson's grab in the fourth, senior wideout Tawann Rome snagged a 35-yard catch on DC's first drive.
• Jehlani Warren was efficient in his first start at quarterback, completing 20-of-27 throws for 136 yards and one score.
• The Jackets' running attack was held in check as Tyshaun Freeman was limited to 26 yards on eight carries.
• Defiance had a strong opening drive but it stalled out inside Concordia's 30, ending with a failed fourth down try. That eight-play drive for 61 yards was the longest of the day for DC despite no points to show for it.
• The Yellow Jackets had the ball six times in the first half and punted on five of them. They were outgained 310-134 in the first half with the bulk of that differential in the ground game (171 to 39).
• Concordia threatened to score on the final play of the first half with a Hail Mary from the 50. The pass was caught but the receiver fell to the turf at the 1 to keep the score 17-0 at the half.
• Punter Mathew Bolanos punted eight times for the game, averaging 40 yards per boot with a long of 57. Four of his kicks pinned the Cardinals inside their 15.
• Zeke Sanchez climbed to tied for fourth in DC's all-time kicking points list with four markers on Saturday. His 34-yard field was his 10th career make and two yard shy of his career high.
• Defensively, Defiance had four players lead the team with eight tackles: defensive backs Jerry Addo-Boateng and V'Sean Palmer along with linebackers Coty Johnson II and Tyshawn Woodson. Dominic Harris record the lone sack of the game by the Yellow Jackets.
• Neither team turned the football over but both were guilty of nine penalties for over 100 yards.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets travel to Fort Wayne next Saturday night to battle the Saint Francis Cougars. Kickoff at Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.

-JACKETS-