November 1, 2012
Bluffton travels to Franklin for showdown with #21 Grizzlies
LIVE STATS / LIVE AUDIO / PREVIEW
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University football team picked up where it left off in 2011 when the Beavers won five of their last six contests, including a first-ever victory over Rose-Hulman. Bluffton equaled the school record with five conference victories, tying for second place in the Heartland Conference. The Beavers handled Kenyon College in Salzman Stadium on Sept. 1, posting a 20-0 shutout of the Lords. Bluffton then traveled to #17 B-W, dropping a 45-13 decision to the Yellow Jackets before opening HCAC action at Earlham with a 28-20 road win. The Beavers fashioned their first win (14-7) over MSJ since 2001 and knocked off RHIT 37-34 in its first-ever 3-overtime game on Saturday. A 40-13 loss to Hanover set up a much-needed bye week. Bluffton shut down Anderson 13-0 on Saturday and will host rival Defiance on Nov. 10 in the 2012 season finale.
ALL-TIME SERIES - Franklin holds a 10-5 advantage in the all-time series with Bluffton, including nine straight victories over the Beavers dating back to Bluffton's last win (2002). Franklin posted a 49-26 victory in Salzman Stadium a year ago after winning 56-9 the last time the teams met at Franklin.
LEADING THE BEAVERS - Junior Airic Steagall and freshman Calib Alexander have formed an outstanding one-two punch in the backfield, combining for 922 yards and 8 TD's. Jason Brown went for 128 yards and a TD in the win at AU on Saturday. Junior Shawn Frost has 31 receptions for 419 yards with three scores. Junior Josh Runda leads the Beavers with 79 tackles and he has 10.5 TFL's, a forced fumble and two recoveries. Ben Kaufman checks in with 70 stops. Kaufman has two pickoffs, while Mike Johnson has 5 breakups and 30 solo tackles. Justin Hahn, Tyler Hensley and Jeff Parker all have two INT's.
LAST CONTESTS - The Beavers traveled to Anderson on Saturday and defeated the Ravens, 13-0, in a sloppy game that featured four missed field goals and a missed extra point. Jason Brown led the way for the Beaver offense, rushing the ball 12 times for 128 yards and a score. Ranked 21st in this week's D3football.com Top 25 Poll, Franklin overcame five turnovers on the day while improving to 6-0 in the HCAC and 6-2 overall with its 24th straight HCAC victory, a 35-14 win at Defiance.
-BEAVERS-
