October 8, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University football team hit the road on Saturday, Oct. 8, to battle Anderson University following a much-needed bye week. After a slow start, the Beavers took control of the game in the second half as they marched their way to a 62-22 victory. It marks the most points for Bluffton since a 63-6 victory over these same Ravens in 1988! Bluffton improved to 4-1 (2-1 HCAC) while the Ravens dropped to 1-5 (1-3 HCAC) on the season.
The Ravens snapped a four-year scoreless string at the hands of the Beavers when JARRETT DICKEY hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass from quarterback TRISTON ANDERSON. Bluffton answered right back, tying the game at 7-7 after DANTE CARROLL (Gahanna/Lincoln) plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out.
Late in the first quarter, CONNER SHEEHAN (Monroeville, Ind./Heritage) hit MICAH ROBERSON (Ada) with a a 21-yard touchdown pass. With 4:57 to go in the first half, the Ravens evened up the score at 14 when Demond Roberson-Miller ran it in from the 1-yard line. The Beavers would make it a 21-14 ballgame with eight seconds left in the half as Micah Roberson found the end zone after a second 21-yard touchdown pass from Sheehan!
Bluffton took a 27-14 lead on Carroll's second score as he punched it in from the 2-yard line. At the 9:09 mark in the third quarter, Jerrell Pointdexter (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) took a 75-yard punt return to the house as Bluffton increased its lead to 34-14. The Beavers would score for the third time in the quarter after Conner Sheehan fumbled at the Anderson 1-yard and Micah Roberson scooped it up for the score.
The Ravens finally got on the board in the second half when Travis Williams caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to cut Bluffton’s lead to 41-20 after a blocked extra point attempt. The Ravens were able to get two points on a safety following a blocked punt, making the score 41-22.
Bluffton would cap off a 10-play, 53-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing TD by Sheehan. After forcing Anderson to punt, Sheehan connected with RAPHAEL DELL (Cincinnati/Hughes) for a 68-yard score to make it 55-22 with 9:54 left in regulation. The Ravens turned the ball over on downs in Bluffton territory and Bluffton tacked on another score to make it 62-22 as TIMOTHY BOOTH (Toledo/Bowsher) scored his first touchdown of the season on a 4-yard plunge past the pylon.
Conner Sheehan connected on 16-of-23 of his passes for 211 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. On the ground, Dante Carroll had a solid performance, picking up 91 yards on just 16 carries with two scores. Micah Roberson hauled in six receptions for 90 yards and two receiving touchdowns in addition to the fumble recovery. The Beavers rolled off 464 yards of total offense and were a perfect 5-of-5 in the red-zone.
Leading the way on defense was GIOVANNI SPADARO (Macedonia/Nordonia) who tallied seven tackles on the afternoon with a sack. JAKE HARMON (Van Wert/Crestview) added five tackles, including two TFL's. The Ravens racked up 451 yards on offense, including 317 through the air.
Bluffton makes its return to Alumni Field on Saturday, Oct. 15, as they take on Hanover for Homecoming weekend at 1:30. Come out and support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
