By Tim Stried, SID
September 14, 2002
Bluffton College made their first home game of the 2002 season a historic one by setting five Salzman Stadium records in a 45-0 domination of Hiram College Saturday afternoon.
Bluffton racked up 549 yards in total offense and set stadium records with 396 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns as the Beavers out-gained Hiram by 482 yards to improve to 1-1 on the season.
The Bluffton defense set three stadium records by holding Hiram to 22 yards rushing, 45 yards passing and 67 yards in total offense.
With the absence of two starting wide receivers and a less-than-100% quarterback Brad Moore, who was playing with a deep leg bruise, the Bluffton running game took center stage. Freshman Ben Dodds led the way with 168 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start, while junior Jovan Johnson added 107 yards and three touchdowns while also leading the receiving corps with six catches for 67 yards.
Junior Scott Flathers rushed for 71 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Moore was an efficient 13-for-18 passing in the game for 136 yards. Junior wide receiver Jim Dwenger and freshman wide out Michael Kingsley both were absent from the lineup Saturday but will return next Saturday as Bluffton travels to Thiel College (Pa.) for a 1:30 kickoff.
Three Hiram quarterbacks combined to complete just six-of-20 passes as the Terriers fall to 0-2 on the season. Hiram was 0-for-11 on third down conversions and saw Bluffton hold possession of the football for nearly twice as long in the game (21:30 to 38:30).
Hiram fumbled the opening kickoff return on their own 15-yard line and four plays later Flathers scored from two yards out to give Bluffton the lead just 1:55 into the game and the Beavers never looked back.
Johnson scored from five yards out with 4:01 left in the first quarter and senior Adam Burgess nailed a 32-yard field goal with 33 seconds left in the opening quarter to give BC a 17-0 lead. Dodds weaved his way for a 43-yard touchdown run with 9:05 left in the second quarter and BC was in control 24-0 at halftime.
Johnson scored Bluffton's next two touchdowns on runs of two yards and five yards before Flathers finished off the scoring with a four-yard run with 3:24 to play in the game.
Junior defensive end Lucas Wilson collected two quarterback sacks and five total tackles, 3.5 of which were behind the line of scrimmage. Senior defensive back Cam Staley picked off his second career interception and added five tackles and three pass breakups. Senior defensive back Darin Riffle led the team with eight tackles and junior outside linebacker Pat Craun added six stops.