Spetember 8, 2018
By: Joe Watkins, sports information assistant
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team traveled to Indiana for its last non-conference game of the year on the road against #19 Trine University. The Trine rushing attack was too much for Bluffton to overcome as the Beavers fell to 0-2 following a 34-13 setback.
Trine stuck first as Andrew Duckett hit Lamar Carswell with an 8-yard scoring pass that put the Thunder up 6-0. Carswell was too much for the Beavers to handle as he had all four touchdowns on the day for Trine. Adam Duncan (Northwood/Lake) hit a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter to cut the Thunder lead to 6-3. The Beavers did not find the end zone until late in the second quarter when sophomore Plummie Gardner (Lima/Perry) found Duncan for a 70-yard touchdown strike. The home team extended their 20-13 halftime edge with Carswell scores in the third and fourth quarters en route to the 34-13 final.
Bluffton totaled 225 yards of offense with 148 yards passing and 77 yards on the ground. Plummie Gardner (Lima/Perry) went 8-of-16 for 137 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. Trenton Besgrove (Millbury/Cardinal Stritch) came in and completed 3-of-3 for 11 yards. Adam Duncan (Northwood/Lake) led the way in receiving with 114 yards and a touchdown.
Dylan Shaffer (Shelby/Shelby) led the way on defense with 10 tackles. Seniors Austin Hall (Piqua, Ohio/Piqua) and Isaac Zickafoose (Middlebury, IN/Northridge) added seven tackles apiece. Zickafoose finished with three TFL's, two sacks and a blocked extra point.
Bluffton is back on the road again next Saturday, Sept. 15, for the Heartland Conference lidlifter at Earlham College. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. in Richmond, Ind.
-BEAVERS-