By Ben Risinger, SID
October 4, 2003

URBANA, OHIO - The Bluffton College football (2-2, 0-0 HCAC) team dropped their first road game of the year 31-13 on Saturday. Urbana got revenge for the loss in 2002 at Bluffton 31-14; the Blue Knights have not beaten Bluffton since 1994 when they won 21-20 at Urbana.

The game was a stalemate at zero apiece through the first quarter until 7:40 left in the first half when Urbana went up 6-0. The Blue Knights would score two more times in the third quarter to widen the score 21-0 with 4:25 left in the third. Bluffton would not be bound as they answered right back not even two minutes later when Bill Fisher (Oregon/Clay) found the 18-yard pass from quartrerback Jared Owens (VanWert/Crestview) to give the Beavers their first score of the day and tighten the game to 21-7.

Early in the fourth Urbana would kick a 41-yard field goal to widen the lead to 24-7. Bluffton would answer back in the next drive when Ben Dodds (West Liberty/Bellfontaine) took the ball in off a 4-yard run (score 24-13). Urbana would score once more in the game to give the final tally of 31-13.

Owens finished 8 for 19 in the air for 121 yards and a touchdown. Owens was limited to playing time as he left the game twice due to injury. The Beavers saw action from three quarterbacks on the contest (Owens, Tim Koontz and Nathan Fleetwood). Dodds led the Beaver attack from the ground with 24 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. Mark Gable (Alvordton/Hilltop) topped the receivers with three catches for 64 yards. Bill Fisher (Oregon/Clay) had three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown for the Beavers.

Defensively, Bluffton was again led by Chris Sommers (Delphos/Jefferson) with 13 tackles on the day (five solo, eight assisted). HCAC player of the week Pat Craun (Sidney/Sidney) followed right behind with 10 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and one quarterback sack. 

Bluffton will be back at Salzman Stadium for homecoming next Saturday for their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against Anderson (3-2, 1-0 HCAC). Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.