By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
BEREA, Ohio - The Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets used a big first half to open up their 2014 season on a high note, beating the Bluffton University Beavers 32-20 on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Berea. The home team was able to notch the victory thanks to a 19-0 halftime advantage. The Beavers fell to 0-2 on the season heading into HCAC play after a bye week.
The scoring began for B-W on a safety just three minutes into the contest as the Beavers fumbled a snap and surrendered a 2-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, the home team marched down the field on a four-play, 35-yard drive to take a 9-0 advantage just five minutes into the contest. Baldwin-Wallace added a field goal to end the first quarter and another touchdown midway through the second period to take a 19-0 lead into the locker room.
Midway through the third quarter the Beavers got the offense moving in the right direction. Four straight completed passes by senior quarterback Nick Sheehan (Monroeville, Ind./Heritage) to four different receivers set up a 27-yard touchdown strike to Donovan Brown (Cincinnati/Purcell Marian) to get the visitors on the board, scoring the only points of the third quarter and cutting the Jacket lead to 12 points.
The Yellow Jackets opened the fourth quarter by getting an insurance score from tailback Issac Reed III for a commanding 26-7 advantage. The visiting team on the scoreboard would respond, however, as they used a nine-play, 80-yard drive that was capped with a 1-yard TD run by sophomore Dante Carroll (Gahanna/Lincoln) which made the score 26-14 with 11:40 to go.
The home team would use up almost six minutes of clock time on its next touch, polishing off the 59-yard drive with a 21-yard field goal by Joe Simonis and making it 29-14. Simonis added a 23-yarder late in the fourth quarter to make it 32-14 with 2:30 to play. The Beavers wrapped up the scoring with 1:12 remaining on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Sheehan to Tomlinson.
Nick Sheehan really stepped up and led the Beavers this afternoon as he threw the ball well, going 23-for-41 with 222 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite targets were Micah Roberson (Ada) and Jack Tomlinson (Westerville/South), both finishing with 67 yards receiving, as well as Donovan Brown who caught five balls for 65 yards.
The Beavers were outgained 454-258 for the contest as Issac Reed III led the way with 25 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Tyler Moeglin was efficient, going 18-for-24 with 237 yards and a touchdown, as well.
Senior Brad Swavel (Marion/Ridgedale) and sophomore Tyrone White (Orrville) paced the Bluffton defense with 15 and 13 tackles, respectively. White came up with an interception, while Swavel and Ryan Leopold (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) were in on a sack. Senior Wyatt Herman (Edgerton) forced a Yellow Jacket fumble.
The Beavers will take their early bye week next week before returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1:30 p.m. as they look to take down the Franklin Grizzlies, four-time defending HCAC champions, for the second straight season. The contest is in Franklin, Ind. and will kick off at 1:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
