Bluffton's defense was struggling to get the MSJ offense off the field as they converted on two third downs and a fourth down during their first drive. The Lions powered the ball to the Bluffton 31, where the visitors passed the ball on first down. Sophomore Justin Hahn (Rocky River) read the pass perfectly, picking it off and taking it to the house for a 70-yard interception return for a Bluffton touchdown.

 

The Lions immediately responded and on the next drive Chris Howland connected with Derick Tabar for a 44-yard reception resulting in an MSJ touchdown. The Beavers were then forced to punt on their next drive, but the Lions were unable to take advantage thanks to another Bluffton pickoff, this time by Oscar Vazquez-Dyer (Findlay/Carey). Bluffton drained the clock on its next drive as they moved the ball down to the MSJ 23, where Tyler Wright (Troy) threw an interception on a second down pass attempt.

 

The Beaver defense then forced a three-and-out from the MSJ offense. The ensuing possession lasted just one play, as the home team fumbled the first snap, giving the Lions the ball right back on the Bluffton 16. The Beaver defense proved strong again, holding the Lions to only three yards and a 30-yard field goal. Bluffton once again fumbled the snap on its next drive, giving the ball to MSJ at the Bluffton 41. The Lions took advantage of the field position this time, as they drove it into the end zone for seven more points before the half. The Beavers went into the intermission trailing 17-7.

 

Bluffton came out of the half moving the ball effectively as they drove it to the MSJ three-yard line, but the Lions held the Beavers to a 20-yard field goal from Austin Sweeney (Adrian Mich./Whitmer) which pulled Bluffton back within a touchdown at 17-10. MSJ pounded the ball down the field, taking seven minutes off the clock en route to a Jake Davis two-yard score. The touchdown put the Lions up 24-10 with just over three minutes left in the third. The Beavers fumbled the ball and MSJ recovered it right before the end the third.

 

The Bluffton defense once again managed to hold the MSJ offense, as they forced a punt on the first drive in the fourth. The Lions also showed their defensive strength as they forced a three-and-out by the Beavers. MSJ quickly moved the ball down the field and capped the scoring with another Jake Davis scoring plunge which capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive for the 31-10 final score.

 

The Beavers and Lions rushed for 160 and 157 yards, respectively, but the MSJ passing game proved to be the difference, as they threw the ball for 213 yards, completing 20-of-27 attempts, while Bluffton only threw for 47 yards on 8-of-15 passing. Each team committed six infractions throughout the game. The three fumbles came back to haunt the Beavers as MSJ turned them into 10 points while helping the Lions to over 36 minutes of possession time for the offense. The Lions were outstanding on fourth down conversions, moving the chains on three of their four attempts. The Lions also completed 9-of-17 tries on third down, while Bluffton converted on 4-of-9 attempts.

 

Wright led the Beaver offense, running for 86 yards on 17 attempts and throwing for 22 yards. Chris Byrd (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Univ. Prep) was close behind, rushing for 71 yards on 11 carries and throwing for 25 yards on 5-of-11 passing. The Beaver receiving corps was led by Alexander Carter (Troy) who pulled in three catches for 15 yards. Jason A. Johnson (Lansing, MI. /Lansing Eastern) added 15 yards on two catches. Shane Swisher (Findlay/McComb) grabbed two passes for 11 yards, and Todd Trotter (Cincinnati/Aiken University) finished off the receiving with one snag for six yards.

 

Hahn led the defense with 8.5 tackles (seven solos) and one interception returned for the only Bluffton touchdown. Geoff Yost (North Canton/Jackson) and Justin Crosier (Columbus/Hamilton Township) each stopped the Lions seven times. Steve Sealscott (Van Wert), Josh Runda (Lima/Bath), and Jacob Luthy (Ida, MI/Ida) each added four solo stops with Sealscott and Luthy tallying four and three assists, respectively. Crosier finished with 3 TFL's for 14 yards, including a nine-yard sack.

 

The Beavers will pick up action again next Saturday, Oct. 2, when they travel to Earlham College for another HCAC matchup with the Quakers. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. in Richmond, Indiana.