By: Colton Steiner

OLIVET, Mich. - The Bluffton University football team hit the road to face off against their second MIAA opponent of the season, the University of Olivet Comets. It would be a back-and-forth first half as neither team led by more than a score on the way to a 21-21 tie at the half. Bluffton came out firing in the second half as they would moved the ball with focus and consistency on the way to knocking off Olivet by a final score of 37-28. With the win, the Beavers improved to 2-1 on the season, while Olivet (0-3) still looks for their first win of the season After starting 2-1, this is the first time since the 2016 season that Bluffton has notched two non-conference victories in a season. 

The hosts opened the scoring early after a 14-yard touchdown run put the Comet ahead 7-0 at the 12:17 mark of the first quarter. The Beavers would be able to even up the ballgame when freshman Jamarrion Banks (Cleveland Heights) found the gap and crossed the pylon on a four-yard run. The tie was short-lived as Olivet would connect on a 28-yard pass for a touchdown, leading 14-7 with 1:32 left in the first quarter.

After a lull in scoring, the Beavers were able to find the end zone when Tywuan Clark (Toledo/Central Catholic) scrambled for an 11-yard run to tie the game at 14-14. Following the Bluffton touchdown, the Beaver defense wanted a taste of the scoring action as they forced an Olivet fumble 20 seconds later. Senior Maxwell Moore (Chagrin Falls) would scoop it up and take it in for the score, giving the visitors their first lead of the contest at 21-14. However, a Comet touchdown with 3:57 left in the half knotted it up at 21 apiece. 

Opening up the second half, the Beavers would burn five and a half minutes off the clock on an opening drive that was capped off with a 7-yard TD run from Tywuan Clark, putting the Beavers up 28-21. Bluffton's defense stiffened and they held the hosts from scoring before the offense added a 42-yard field goal from Drew Michael (Eaton), the Beavers would extend their lead to 31-21. Going into the fourth quarter, Olivet cut it to three, but Tywuan Clark would respond with his third score of the game on the ground, making it 37-28 in favor of the Beavers with 3:14 left in regulation.

The Comets were unable to move the ball, and following a sack from Moore, an interception from Kyni Brantley (Venice, Fla.) on fourth down would seal the 37-28 victory for Bluffton. 

Clark threw for 168 yards and completed 10-of-14 passes. He was also dangerous with his legs, rushing 17 times for 41 yards and three scores. The ground attack was lethal for Bluffton as Jamarrion Banks was a force to be reckoned with. The freshman piled up 23 carries that would eclipse 125 yards for the day to go along with one score. He also snagged four receptions that went for 31 yards. Cameron Paige (Detroit, Mich./Tiffin University) hauled in two catches for 55 yards and Jashawn Wyckoff (Cleveland/Cleveland Heights) added one big catch for 34 yards. 

The Bluffton defense held the hosts to seven points in the second half. Dh'mari Wright (Hammond, Ind./University of Findlay) blew up the Comets with a day to remember, tallying four tackles, with 2.5 tackles for loss, that included two sacks. Maxwell Moore added a sack and a fumble recovery touchdown, while Savon Gatlin (Riverdale, Ga./Drew) chipped in with five tackles, along with a sack. In the secondary, two Beavers came up with interceptions as Nolan Mills (Louisville, Ky./Meade County) and Kyni Brantley each snagged a pick, both their first of the season. 

Bluffton would out-gain the Comets in total yardage with a 350-265 advantage. While both teams would pass for 168 yards, the Beavers ran the ball for 182 yards that averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Olivet averaged 3.9 yards per rush with 97 yards total. It was turnovers that would be the difference maker, with Olivet turning the ball over four times, while Bluffton only lost one in the contest. 

The Beavers will go into the bye next week to rest and prepare for conference play as they get set to host the Manchester University Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate homecoming weekend. Come out and support your Bluffton Beavers!

-BEAVERS-