September 9, 2017
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University football team kicked off their home opener against Trine University in their last non-conference game of the regular season. The Thunder got off to a hot start and didn’t slow down. The Beavers had no answer to Trine’s offense as they dropped to 0-2 following a 55-14 setback.
Trine would get on the scoreboard first, scoring two touchdown passes in the first five minutes of the game for a quick 14-0 lead. Bluffton would finally get in the end zone when COLBY SPEICE (Paulding/Wayne Trace) connected with MICAH ROBERSON (Ada) from 10-yards out to make the score 14-7.
The Beavers couldn’t anything going offensively as they were outscored by the Thunder 24-0 in the second quarter, making the halftime score 38-7. Ten more Thunder points came in the third quarter putting the visitors up 48-7 before another touchdown three minutes into the fourth quarter made it 55-7. A BRANDON KOCH (West Harrison, Ind./East Central) rushing touchdown with 5:54 left made the final score 55-14.
Bluffton totaled 260 yards of offense with 137 yards passing and 123 yards on the ground. Colby Speice went 10-of-17 with 69 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Brandon Koch also did work in the pocket as the junior finished 7-of-12 for 68 yards and a rushing score. CAIDEN DICKE (Lima/Perry) led the Beavers with five receptions for 37 yards as well as nine runs for 51 yards.
DYLAN SHAFFER (Shelby/Shelby) paced the defense with 11 tackles on the afternoon. TERRACE BROWN (Detroit, Mich./Madison Heights) and DONIVEN CLARK (Toledo/Bowsher) each had eight tackles apiece.
Trine put up 505 yards, including 359 on 61 rushing attempts. The Thunder controlled the clock with 34:13 in the time of possession. The visitors were 7-of-7 on red zone opportunities and they converted 10-of-14 tries on third down, racking up 31 first downs to just 10 for the Beavers.
Bluffton will be on the road next week against Mount St. Joseph for their first conference game of the 2017 season. Kickoff time is set for 1:30 p.m. from Cincinnati. You can keep up with all Bluffton sports updates on Twitter @Bluffton_Sports.
-BEAVERS-
