Battle for the Hammer
– Zac Weaver (Defiance, OH)
Defiance College (2-8) fell to rival Bluffton University (6-4) on Saturday November 14 by a final score of 35-14.
The Yellow Jackets entered Saturday afternoon’s game looking to finish off the season strong against rival school Bluffton University Beavers.
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On Bluffton’s first drive the Yellow Jacket defense was playing strong but could not stop the big plays and gave up a score on the first drive.
That would be the only score in the first quarter as we would see the Yellow Jacket offense struggle to move the ball on offense. Just as the offense would see their struggles, the defense would step up their play and hold the Beaver offense to minus 4 yards the rest of the first quarter.
Bluffton’s first possession was abruptly cut off by an interception from Kenny Jones, the junior defensive back.
Later in the second quarter the Yellow Jacket offense would gain some momentum and string together first downs on the legs of Tanner Hughes and Andre Adderly but they would be denied any points.
Bluffton would score two times in the second quarter and end the half at 21-0 in favor of the Beavers.
The third quarter would start off with a score for the Yellow Jackets. Andre Addrely would connect with Devin Bolden twice on the drive and lead to a strike from 21 yards putting points on the board.
Bluffton would quickly answer with a score of their own with a rushing touchdown from the 44 yard line and take a 28-7 lead.
On the ensuing Yellow Jacket drive they would again find the end zone. Cody Wilson and Andre Adderly would put their legs to work and power down the field. Wilson capped off the drive with an 8 yard run making the score 28-14 in favor of the Beavers.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by a the final score by Bluffton ending the game at 35-14. This was their sixth straight victory in the battle for the Hammer series. The overall series between Defiance College and Bluffton University is now 45-44-2 in favor of Bluffton.
Although the season did not go as well as anyone had hoped there are a lot of positives to take away from this year looking towards next season and spring practice. Coach Sheehan and his new staff will have a large number of starters returning since the majority of starters this year were freshman and sophomores. They also will have plenty of current juniors up for the task of leading the young team towards reaching their team goals in the future.
