Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna
BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Bluffton University football team opened their 2022 season at home under the new stadium lights on Saturday, Sept. 17, with a 58-23 loss to Adrian College. The Beavers fell to 0-3 on the season while Adrian improved to 2-1.
The Bulldogs found their way into the end zone first for a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Bluffton answered back with a 30-yard field goal from Jake Baumgartner (Toledo/Start) to cut the deficit to four (7-3). Adrian would score again with just under two minutes in the first quarter, opening a 14-3 lead. The Bulldogs hit paydirt three times in the second quarter to take a commanding 38-3 lead over the Beavers. Blake Rine (Heath/Granville) connected with Maalik Tucker (Fostoria), making it 38-10 at the half.
Adrian was the only team to put numbers on the board in the third quarter, extending its lead to 52-10. Bluffton started off the fourth quarter quickly when Rine tossed a 16-yard shot to Joseph Taviano (Lima/Perry), adding to the Beaver score (52-16). After another Bulldog touchdown (58-16), Rine connected on a 26-yard TD toss to Andre Price Jr. (Akron/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) but it wouldn't be enough as Adrian secured the 58-23 victory.
Rine finished the game going 18-of-28 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Tucker ran 12 times for 23 yards, while Kainan Stoner (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) added 18 yards on 15 carries. Price Jr. snagged two catches for 68 yards. Tucker and DeSean Bonte (Canal Winchester/Harvest Prep) both tallied four catches for 46 and 30 yards, respectively.
Leading the Beaver defense was Karl Foster (Detroit, MI/Denby) with 13 total tackles and one breakup. Davon Hedwood (Westland, MI/Thurston) and Dominic Appiagyei (Pataskala/Licking Heights) both added six stops to their stat line. Dishon McGee Jr (Detroit, MI/Detroit Leadership Academy) was one off their pace with five.
Adrian racked up a total of 536 offensive yards, compared to 314 for Bluffton. The visitors also moved the chains 12 more times (29-17). Adrian grabbed two interceptions for 30 yards compared to Bluffton's one steal for one yard.
The Beavers will have a bye next weekend before they open up HCAC play against Franklin College on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Alumni Field. Go Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
