Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna
ALBION, Mich. – The Bluffton University football team suffered a tough loss against Albion College, 51-2, on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Beavers fell to 0-2 on the season while the Britons improved to 2-0.
A severe offensive drought for the Beavers saw Albion score four touchdowns and a field goal in the first half for a demanding 31-0 lead. With just under three minutes in regulation, Josh Neuberger (Norwalk) ended the scoring by tackling Albion's running back in the home team's end zone for a safety and Bluffton's only two points on the board (51-2).
Blake Rine (Heath/Granville) went 7-of-19 for a total of 82 yards in the air and he added 10 yards on the ground on three attempts. Bobby Bourke (Commerce, MI/ Albion) saw time on the field, going 5-for-7 and a total of 36 yards. Maalik Tucker (Fostoria) carried the ball 13 times for 37 yards. Kainan Stoner (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) was just one yard off his pace, running a total of 11 times for 36 yards. Andre Price Jr.(Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) pulled down four receptions for 38 yards, while Jeremy Locklear (Lincoln Park, MI/Harry S. Truman) hauled in three passes, also for 38 yards.
Davon Hedwood (Westland, MI/Thurston) powered the Bluffton defense with 10 tackles. Kenan Ivery(Akron/Ellet) tallied eight stops for the visiting team. Four more Beavers added six takedowns apiece to the stat line. Picking up the only Bluffton sack of the game was Nick Perry (Northwood/Lake) for a loss of eight yards.
The Brtions saw the chains move 32 times, compared to just eight first downs for Bluffton. Albion totaled 740 yards of offense in 86 plays while the Beavers countered with just 182 in 55 plays. Bluffton's Darrius Daniels (Fishers, IN/Fishers) snagged the one and only interception in the loss.
The Beavers are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 17, when they welcome Adrian College to Alumni Field for the home opener. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Bluffton's first ever game under the new lights at Salzman Stadium! Go Beavers!
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