Beavers win second straight
The Bluffton University football team traveled to Manchester University on Saturday, for a Heartland Conference clash.
The Beaver defense only allowed 14 points to the Spartans and shut them out the entire second half to secure their second straight victory, 26-14. Bluffton improves to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in Heartland Conference play, while Manchester fell to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the HCAC.
Bluffton would get on the board first when freshman Keel Watson IV (Detroit, MI/Harrison) hit Ryan Markoff (Centerville/Valparaiso University) for a 52-yard touchdown pass that would put the Beavers up 7-0 with 7:52 left in the first quarter.
They would strike again when Darian Greeley (Belleville, MI/Chippewa Valley) hit paydirt with a 4-yard scamper into the end zone to put the Beavers up 13-0 at the end of one quarter of play after the failed PAT try.
The Spartans would finally find the end zone when Austin Roberts punched it in from 1-yard out to cut the Beaver lead to just six with 10:51 left in the first half.
They took the lead with 4:22 left in the second quarter when Brian Antoine hauled in a 6-yard pass from Austin Roberts to make the score 14-13 in favor of Manchester.
But, the Beavers answered back before the break when Greeley found the end zone again on a 1-yard plunge that made it 20-14 good guys after a successful PAT try.
After a scoreless third quarter, Bluffton made it 26-14 in the final stanza when senior Adam Duncan (Northwood/Lake) hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Watson that would ultimately seal the second straight victory for the Beavers.
Bluffton totaled 405 yards of offense with 239 yards through the air and 166 yards on the ground. Watson IV went 12-of-25 for 239 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the victory.
The rushing attack was led by Greeley who ran for 113 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns on the afternoon. Markoff led all receivers with 98 yards receiving and one touchdown.
Manchester totaled 317 yards of offense with 158 yards passing and 159 yards in the rushing attack. Bluffton went 6-of-14 on third down conversions, while the Spartans were 6-of-16. Manchester led in time of possession with 32:21.
The Beaver defense was led by Stephan Kosakowski (Cleveland/Benedictine) who totaled 12 stops with one of those tackles being a seven-yard loss for the Spartans.
Behind him a trio of Beavers had seven tackles on the day, including Ollie Moorer (Warrensville Heights), Antonio Crossty (Wooster) and Keith Holmes Jr. (Toledo/St. Francis DeSales).
Bluffton is back in action Saturday, Nov. 9, when the Beavers will play host to HCAC foe Franklin College in the final home contest of the season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Alumni Field.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes