ADRIAN, Mich. - The Bluffton University football team struggled to put points on the board in a 23-15 loss at Adrian College on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Bluffton fell to 1-2 on the season after its second straight loss to an MIAA squad, while Adrian picked up its first win of the season.

A pair of Bulldog field goals sandwiched around an Adrian fumble recovery for a touchdown had the home team up 13-0 midway through the second quarter when Xavier Reyero (Corona, Cal.) connected with senior Ethan Beringer (Findlay/Carey). 

A 75-yard touchdown pass and a third Alec Milley field goal pushed the Bulldog lead to 23-7 at the break.

Reyero found CJ Thompson (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor) with a 34-yard scoring strike in the third quarter and the two-point conversion pass to Beringer made it a one score game with a quarter and a half to play. The Adrian defense was up to the task, however, as the Bulldogs made their 23-15 spread hold up.

Kainan Stoner (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) picked up 64 yards on 13 carries to lead the Bluffton ground game. Beringer, Thompson and Niegel Payne (Detroit, Mich./River Rouge) all hauled in five receptions on Saturday. Beringer led the receivers with 71 yards. Reyero was 21-of-36 for 211 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.

Karl Foster (Detroit, Mich./Denby) piled up 11 tackles to lead the Beavers. Fellow senior Nick Perry (Northwood/Lake) chipped in with eight stops. Nolan Whobrey (Louisville, Ky./Meade County) and Jaydon McBreen (Portland, Ore./Westview) both picked off the Bulldogs.

Adrian moved the chains 17 times and gained 414 yards, compared to 13 first downs and 262 yards for the visitors. Bluffton struggled with just 51 yards on the ground. Adrian finished with a seven-minute edge in time of possession.

Bluffton will take advantage of its bye week and then get ready for a Sept. 30 trip to Franklin for the Heartland Conference lidlifter. Kickoff with the Grizzlies is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Faught Stadium.

-BEAVERS-