BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University football team trailed by just one score in the third quarter before Trine pulled away for a 52-20 victory on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Bluffton slipped to 0-3, while The Thunder improved to 2-1 on the season.
Back-to-back touchdown drives by the Beavers in the second quarter had Bluffton within a point (14-13) with six minutes to go in the first half. Sophomore DeAunte Hubbard (Columbus/Bishop Hartley) got the home team into the scoring column with a 60-yard burst up the middle before senior Kainan Stoner (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) capped a 10-play 88-yard drive that was aided by a roughing the kicker. His one-yard plunge made it 14-13 in the second quarter.
The visitors found the end zone late in the first half and just 53 seconds into the third quarter, but the Beavers responded with a 66-yard scoring toss from Evan Unruh (Elida/Lima Central Catholic) to Niegel Payne (Detroit, Mich./River Rouge) less than two minutes later.
Trine took advantage of a muffed punt and a host of personal fouls in the second half to close out the game with 24 straight points for a 52-20 victory.
Trine moved the chains 23 times, compared to 17 first down for the home team. Bluffton outgained the Thunder 419-367 with a 246 to 220 edge on the ground. The Beavers were 8-of-17 on third down and they held Trine to just three conversions on third down.
Stoner carried it 25 times for 123 yards a score. Hubbard had just one touch but he made the most of it with a 60-yard scoring run! Payne caught four passes for 81 yards with the 66-yard touchdown reception.
Marvus McWright (Westland, MI/Lee M Thurston) and Andrew Matthews (Miami, Fla./South Miami Senior) led the defense with seven tackles apiece. Dominic Barry (Brooklyn) chipped in with six stops, including a pair of TFL's.
Bluffton is off next Saturday before welcoming Anderson University as part of the Homecoming festivities on October 5. Kickoff at Alumni Field is slated for 1:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
