DEFIANCE, Ohio – The 2011 football season came to a bitter end on Saturday at Justin F. Coressel Stadium, as Defiance suffered a 46-27 loss to Bluffton in the final game of the year.

The visiting Beavers wasted no time taking control of the action, reaching the end zone on each of their first three possessions to take a 20-0 lead midway through the opening period. Bluffton needed only eight plays and used just 2:31 of clock time to complete the three scoring drives.

Defiance momentarily slowed the momentum by forcing a BU punt on the ensuing possession, before Bluffton switched gears and used scoring drives of 10 and 11 plays to expand the gap to 30-0 at the half.

The Jackets rebounded with a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Joemese Scott to start the second-half scoring and went on to outscore BU by a 27-16 margin in the final 30 minutes of play. The rally was far too late however, as Defiance ultimately fell by a 46-27 margin.

Drew Kuesel highlighted the afternoon with a pair of rushing touchdowns, while Rick Powell completed 15 passes for 146 yards and a 27-yard touchdown strike to Wallace Archie.

Blaine McGowan led the defense with 16 tackles, while Gregg Pickett had 13 and Hunter Robertson ended with 10.

Defiance ends the year with a 4-6 overall record and a 4-4 clip in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

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