Football Falls in Final Non-Conference Tune Up

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College football team welcomed non-conference opponent Hope College to Justin F. Coressel Stadium on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The Purple and Gold fell in the contest by a score of 41-0.

As a team, the Yellow Jackets (0-2 overall) tallied 84 yards of offense including 62 yards through the air. Sophomore Logan Mico (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South) led the ariel attack as he charted 56 yards on 28 attempts. 

The Flying Dutchmen wasted little time finding the end zone as they took the opening drive 41 yards on 10 plays for the early 7-0 lead.

Defiance looked to get something going as senior Corey Bennett (Tampa, Fla./Blake) rushed for five yards with 7:45 to play to put DC within their own 30 yard line. Freshman quarterback, Ryan Freeman (Palm Coast, Fla.) followed it up with a completion to sophomore Alex Richards-Hernandez (Gibsonburg) that resulted in a four yard pickup. However, Hope would stall the drive forcing a turnover on downs.

The Flying Dutchmen offense went to work once more taking the ball 40 yards on seven plays to extend the lead to 13-0.

Hope would tack on two more scores before the break to take the 27-0 halftime advantage.

Defiance opened the second half with the ball as Bennett looked to spark the offense getting the call on four straight plays to give DC a first down inside their own 40 yard line. But once again, Hope stalled the drive and forced another four-an-out for Defiance.

On the next possession, the Flying Dutchmen traveled 47 yards on 10 plays to tack on seven more and record the games final score, 41-0.

Senior Jalin Nealy (Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield) finished the contest with a game-high 18 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Saturday, Sept. 15 as they open Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play at Manchester. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm.