By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team opened up Heartland Conference play with a 31-24 loss to Franklin College on Saturday, Sept. 30. The Beavers fell to 1-3 (0-1) while Franklin improved to 1-3 (1-0).

The Beavers got on the board first when Drew Michael (Eaton) kicked the ball through the uprights from 29 yards out for a 3-0 Bluffton lead. The offensive fire kept going when Xavier Reyero (Corona, CA/Corona) connected with Chris Mclaurin (Bolton, Miss./Clinton) for another Beaver score and an early 10-0 spread. Franklin answered back with a touchdown to make the score 10-7 at the end of the first.

Two Grizzly touchdowns and a field goal gave Franklin a 24-10 lead with 4:46 to play in the first half. On the last play of the second quarter, Reyero connected with Ethan Beringer (Findlay/Carey) to pull the Beavers within seven (24-17) heading into the lockerroom at the half.

Franklin was the only team to score in the third quarter, pushing their lead out to 31-17. The Beavers answered back with 46 seconds left in regulation when Darnell Thomas (Toledo/Springfield) found CJ Thompson (Indianapolis, IN/Park Tudor) in the end zone for a Bluffton touchdown (31-24). Despite the last-minute offensive spark, the Grizzlies capped the HCAC lidlifter with a 31-24 victory.

Reyero completed 25-of-38 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas completed 5-of-12 for 87 yards and one score. Kainan Stoner (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) ran it 19 times for 53 yards while Darnell Thomas (Toledo/Springfield) added seven carries and 10 yards to the Beaver stat line. Beringer tallied six receptions for 99 yards with Niegel Payne (Detroit, MI/River Rouge) pulling down eight catches for 89 yards. Kale Lee (Spencerville) and Thompson tallied four grabs for 66 yards and five balls for 63 yards, respectively.

Marvus McWright (Westland, MI/Lee M Thurston/Davenport) powered the Beaver defense with eight tackles. Nick Perry (Northwood/Lake) was two off his pace with six.

The Beavers racked up 373 yards of total offense in 84 plays, compared to 392 yards in 62 plays for Franklin. Bluffton did have one more penalty (10-9) and the visitors were sacked five times compared to none for the Grizzlies.

The Beavers are back in action next Saturday, Oct. 7, when they welcome Hanover College to Salzman Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. Go Beavers!

-BEAVERS-