October 29, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team took on the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers in a crucial HCAC matchup. After defeating Franklin last week, the Engineers continued their winning ways with a dominating 42-19 victory to improve to 7-2 (6-1 HCAC) on the season. With the loss, the Beavers dropped to 6-2 (4-2 HCAC) on the year.

Rose Hulman jumped out to a quick start, scoring on their first six possessions without a single punt as they took a 42-0 lead. Bluffton finally got on the board with just over a minute to go in the first half after D'VONTE GUYTON (Cincinnati/Withrow) took an 88-yard kickoff return all the way for a touchdown, making the score 42-6. Bluffton hit paydirt again at the 2:48 mark of the third quarter when CONNER SHEEHAN (Monroeville, Ind./Heritage) connected with LUCAS ESPITIA (Lincoln Park, Mich./Lincoln Park) for a 2-yard touchdown pass. DRAKE CAMPBELL (Trenton/Edgewood) hit the ground running for a 4-yard rushing score with time winding down as the Beavers dropped the 42-19 decision.

Leading the way for Bluffton under center was Conner Sheehan who went 14-of-30 for 162 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Drake Campbell led the Beavers in rushing with 60 yards on seven carries and a touchdown. MICAH ROBERSON (Ada) hauled in seven catches for 80 yards. The Beavers struggled at the point of attack as they allowed 12 tackles-for-loss that included seven sacks.

The Bluffton defense was spearheaded by senior TRENT LONG (Elida) who picked up 12 tackles. JAKE HARMON (Van Wert/Crestview) tallied nine stops with TYLER SHOWALTER (Haviland/Wayne Trace) and AUSTIN HALL (Piqua) contributing eight tackles apiece. GIOVANNI SPADARO (Macedonia/Nordonia) had Bluffton's interception of the Engineers.

Rose-Hulman piled up 519 yards, compared to 284 for the visitors, with a marked 311-94 edge on the ground. Rose controlled the clock for nearly 34 minutes and moved the chains 23 times, nine more first downs than the visitors generated.

The Beavers will look to return to their winning ways when they travel to Earlham College next Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Bluffton has won the last seven meetings with the Quakers.

-BEAVERS-