By Ben Risinger, Sports Information Director
October 2, 2004
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University football team (3-2, 1-0 HCAC) defeated Manchester College (0-5, 0-1 HCAC) 35-13 on Saturday afternoon. The win is the first Heartland Conference opening victory for the Beavers since the 2000 season. Bluffton has now won more games in the 2004 campaign than their entire 2003 season total.
Leading the way for the Beavers victory was junior tailback Ben Dodds (West Liberty/Bellefontaine) who scored two touchdowns (31 yards, 14 yards) on the ground for 123 total yards. Freshman Terence Clayton (Napoleon/Napoleon) also posted two touchdowns rushing (2 yards, 5 yards) for 52 yards on the contest. The Beavers other score came from sophomore cornerback Jeremy Anderson (South Richwood/Airport) who ran back a 62 yard interception for the touchdown. Junior kicker Seth Burkholder (Pandora/Bluffton) booted in all five point after touchdown kicks to help solidify the Bluffton win.
Defensively, the Beavers were led by senior linebacker Scott Steiner (Berne, Ind./South Adams) who posted 17 tackles (7 solo, 10 assisted) and two pass break ups. Freshman Sam McCullough (Bluffton/Bluffton) recorded eight tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted) and one forced fumble. Senior Matt Chiles (Sidney/Sidney) also had eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assisted) and one pass break up.
The Beavers capitalized the football in the red zone as they posted three scores in three chances deep in Spartan territory. Bluffton would end the day with three interceptions and ran one back for the touchdown. Freshman Taylor Iceman would post one interception with Jeremy Anderson grabbing the other two. Both teams matched statistically as Manchester and Bluffton had 19 first downs. Manchester posted 387 total yards of offense (103 rushing, 284 passing) to the Beavers 314 total yards (106 passing, 208 rushing). The Spartans committed five penalties for 35 yards with Bluffton showing four penalties for 28 yards.
The Beavers have one week off before traveling to Anderson University for another HCAC contest on October 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.