By: Joseph Watkins, sports information assistant
RICHMOND, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team rattled off 27 points in the second half en route to a 34-0 shutout at Earlham College on Saturday, Sept. 15. The Beavers improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the Heartland Conference, while the Quakers stayed winless at 0-3 and 0-1 in the HCAC. It also marked his first victory as a collegiate head coach for Coach Krepps!
After a scoreless first quarter, the Beavers finally dented the scoreboard with 3:08 to play in the half when freshman quarterback Zachary Nobis (Bryan) hit Adam Duncan (Northwood/Lake) with a 9-yard touchdown pass to put Bluffton up 7-0. The third quarter saw the Beavers put 20 points on the Quakers for a 27-0 lead heading to final stanza. Junior Trenton Besgrove (Millbury/Cardinal Stritch) sandwiched TD passes to Lucas Espitia (Lincoln Park, MI/Lincoln Park) and Keyon Camden (Wayne/Elmwood) around his own eight-yard scoring scamper as Bluffton found its rhythm offensively in the third quarter. A three-yard plunge by freshman bulldozer Sean Russaw (Sanford, Fla./Lake Howell) with 2:55 to play capped the 34-0 shutout.
The Beaver passing attack was led by Besgrove who went 9-of-16 for 198 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start! Drake Campbell (Trenton/Edgewood) went for 80 yards on just 13 rushing attempts. Keyon Camden (Wayne/Elmwood) caught two balls for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively the Beavers were outstanding as they shut out the Quakers. Tyler Showalter (Haviland/Wayne Trace) led the way with 14 tackles. Sophomore Stephan Kosakowski (Cleveland/Benedictine) and senior Doniven Clark (Toledo/Bowsher) picked off the home team with two interceptions apiece.
Bluffton nearly doubled up the Quakers with 415 yards to just 209 for the home team. The Bluffton defense held Earlham to 15 yards on the ground. The Beavers put up 185 yards rushing en route to a 10-minute edge in time of possession (35:43 to 24:17). Fourteen penalties for 106 yards slowed Bluffton's offense in the first half but the defense kept Earlham from taking advantage.
The Beavers will be back home next Saturday, Sept. 22, when they host the Hanover College Panthers. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 PM at Dwight Salzman Stadium. Come out and support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-