November 7, 2009
By: Josh Bruner, sports information assistant
HANOVER, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team traveled to Hanover College for a league matchup with the Panthers. The first quarter proved to be competitive as both teams put up seven going into the second quarter. The Panthers second stanza was too much for the Beavers. Hanover outscored the visitors 24-0 in the period to take a commanding 31-7 lead at the break. The home team found its rhythm for 21 more points in the fourth, while the Beavers added another nine to make the final 52-19 in favor of Hanover on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Bluffton fell to 0-9 overall and 0-6 in the Heartland Conference, while Hanover improved to 3-6 and 3-3 in the HCAC.
Following a three and out by the Panthers, the first drive for the Beavers chewed up nearly eight minutes before a Hanover interception stopped Bluffton at the home 40-yard line. Hanover marched 53 yards, all on the ground, for a 7-0 lead with 2:21 left in the quarter. The Beavers quickly responded to the score with a touchdown of their own when sophomore Todd Trotter (Cincinnati/Aiken University) went 80 yards to the house on the ensuing kickoff, knotting the game at seven.
Bluffton kept Hanover off the scoreboard to open the second despite the Panthers taking over at Bluffton's seven-yard line. Following three completions for a total of three yards, Hanover's field goal attempt was wide right with 13:07 on the clock. The Panthers took advantage of a three and out by Bluffton and they drove 45 yards on five plays to make the score 14-7. The Panthers added another quick touchdown as they stopped Bluffton on fourth down for a 12-yard loss and followed up with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Croft. The Panthers made it 21 unanswered in the quarter following a Ben Ilnicki (Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf Preparatory) interception on fourth down that Rory Mannering returned 70 yards for a touchdown. The half ended with a Hanover drive that culminated in a field goal for a 31-7 advantage.
The third quarter started slow as there was no score until six minutes left when Beaver kicker Jonathan Thompson (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) punched in a field goal from 30 yards out after Todd Trotter recovered a muffed punt by the Panthers.
The Panthers came out and went right to work in the fourth quarter, putting up three touchdowns on just six offensive plays that used only 1:31 off the game clock. Freshman Justin Hahn (Rocky River/ Rocky River) forced a safety to add two points for the Beavers with 8:05 to play before the Beavers made it 52-19 after an 11-play, 62-yard drive that Tevin Hale (Latty/Wayne Trace) capped with a one-yard plunge to paydirt.
The Hanover offense proved too strong as they outgained the Beavers 346 yards to 182 yards. Bluffton threw for just 22 yards, completing 6-of-20 attempts, while Hanover connected on 17-of-26 passes for 221 yards. The Beavers did their damage on the ground, going for 160 yards and holding Hanover to 125. Both squads struggled on third downs, moving the chains only five times each. Bluffton converted 2-of-5 fourth down tries, while the Panthers were held to 0-for-2 on fourth down conversions.
Jason G. Johnson (Cleveland/Collinwood) paced the Beaver rushers with 17 carries for 65 yards. Hale added 46 yards and a score on 14 carries, and Derek Stock (Carey/Carey) gained 36 yards on four carries. John Hazen (Cardington/Cardington-Lincoln) completed 3-of-7 passes for 22 yards. The Beavers' receivers were led by Tevin Hale (Latty/Wayne Trace) and Dan Chipka (Waterville/Anthony Wayne) who both caught two, followed by Derek Stock (Carey/Carey) and Alexander Carter (Troy/Troy) who each pulled in one.
Adrian Torres (Cleveland/St. Peter Chanel) led the Beaver defense with eight tackles, six of which were solos. Shane Hubbard (Johnstown/Big Walnut) finished with seven tackles against the Panthers. Brandon Herr (Bluffton/Bluffton) added six stops for the Beavers.
The Beavers will travel to face long-time rival Defiance College in the final game of 2009 next Saturday, Nov. 14. The contest is slated to start at 1:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-