By: Kyle Stover, sports information assistant
Nov. 12, 2013

BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University junior wide receiver Donovan Brown's (Cincinnati/Purcell Marian) 44-yard touchdown reception in the last minute of the game against #9 Franklin has been named the D3Football.com national Play of the Week for week 10. It marks the first time in school history that the Beavers have been honored with this award.

Freshman signal-caller Connor Sheehan's (Monroeville, Ind./Heritage) pass looked to be intercepted by Franklin defensive back LaDarrius Calvin, but it was tipped and Brown was able to haul it in and take it into the end zone from just outside the 10-yardline, giving Bluffton the improbable win over the Grizzlies. The unlikely catch helped Bluffton up its school-record touchdown passes to 22 on the season. It was Brown's school-record 10th touchdown reception as well.

The Beavers shocked the HCAC and the pollsters around the country by taking down the #9 ranked Franklin College Grizzlies on Saturday, Nov. 9, after the touchdown grab by Brown broke a 17-17 tie and helped the Beavers cap their first win over a top 10 opponent in school history, 24-17. 17 points are the fewest the Grizzlies offense, which averaged 51.3 points per game heading into Saturday, has scored all year, including contests with #1 Mount Union and Butler University. Bluffton also handed Franklin's seniors their first HCAC loss ever after a string of 31 consecutive Heartland Conference victories.

Bluffton (3-6, 3-4 HCAC) will look to square up its Heartland Conference mark at 4-4 when the Beavers travel to face rival Defiance College on Saturday. It marks the 89th installment in the series with Defiance holding a slim 44-42-2 edge all-time. A win over the Jackets would give Bluffton four straight victories against Defiance.

-BEAVERS-