Blufffton University 24, Anderson University 17

Bluffton at Anderson

Beavers defeat Anderson on road to go 2-0 in Heartland Conference

By Ben Risinger, Sports Information Director
October 16, 2004

Game Statistics

The Bluffton University football team (4-2, 2-0 HCAC) defeated Anderson University 24-17 on Saturday afternoon. The two Heartland Conference victories are the most by the Beavers since the 2001 season when they went 4-2 in the conference to finish in third place.

Bluffton started the game off with a bang when quarterback Tim Koontz (Goshen, Ind./Concord) threw a 57-yard pass to Leon Payne (Springfield/Springfield South) on just the third play of the game. The Beavers would then capitalize on their next possession of the ball as tailback Ben Dodds (West Liberty/Bellefontaine) took the ball into the end zone off a 5-yard run. Bluffton then scored off of their third possession late in the first quarter when kicker Seth Burkholder (Pandora/Bluffton) booted in the 39-yard field goal to widen the Beavers lead to 17-0.

The Ravens would kick a field goal early in the second quarter to get on the board, but Bluffton would take the 17-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. Anderson would capitalize on big plays in the third and fourth quarters as they would score two unanswered touchdowns to tie the game 17-17, early in the fourth. The Beavers would not give up as fullback Ben McCullough (Bluffton/Bluffton) took the ball into the end zone off a 13-yard run for the final of 24-17.

 

“I couldn’t be happier today with the team,” head coach Greg Brooks said. “Our defense played all day and they never gave up. It was a great win.”

Quarterback Tim Koontz completed three passes for 75 yards and one touchdown for the game. Ben Dodds led the Beaver rushers with 32 carries for 102 yards and a lone touchdown. Leading the receivers was Leon Payne with two catches for 63 yards and one touchdown. Senior Matt Chiles (Sidney/Sidney) led the defensive effort with 11 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and one pass deflection. Sophomore Jeremy Anderson (South Richwood/Airport) posted 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted), picked up one fumble and had one pass deflection.

 

Anderson committed five turnovers in the game to Bluffton's one which was a key in the momentum of the contest. The Beavers posted 12 first downs to Anderson’s 22. Anderson led on the yardage game with 457 total yards (16 rushing, 441 passing) to Bluffton’s 260 total yards (185 rushing, 75 passing). Anderson committed seven penalties for 59 yards with Bluffton posting one penalty for three yards.

 

The Beavers will be back at home next Saturday to face HCAC opponent Hanover College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.