Despite Strong First Half, Yellow Jackets Fall to Anderson

DEFIANCE, OHIO – Despite a strong first half performance the Yellow Jackets dropped a close 18-14 decision to the Ravens of Anderson on Saturday afternoon in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Justin F. Coressel Stadium.

As a team, Defiance (0-4 overall, 0-2 HCAC) registered 325-yards of offense with 179-yards coming through the air. Sophomore, quarterback, Logan Mico (Grosse Pointe, Mich/South) tallied 185-yards on 33 attempts.

Anderson struck first in the contest taking their opening drive 109-yards on nine plays. The Ravens went to the air early as back-to-back completions by Tallent landed Anderson inside the Defiance 35-yard line. AU continued to move the ball as a three yard rush on second and six put the Ravens in striking distance. On the following play, Anderson found the goal line on a three-yard scamper for the go-ahead score, 6-0.
However, the Yellow Jacket offense came alive early as they responded with a score of their own midway through the second quarter. The drive began on the DC 48-yard line before senior, running back, Corey Bennett (Tampa, Fla./Blake) got the call rushing for nine yards. Mico then took to the air as he found junior Jacob Vorce (Paw Paw, Mich.) streaking over the middle for an 11-yard pick up putting DC inside the Anderson 30 with just under 10 minutes till halftime. The Purple and Gold grinded out several yards on the ground before completing the mission as Mico connected with Bennett for the score, 7-6.

The Yellow Jackets carried the momentum into the next offensive possession as they traveled 75-yards on seven plays for their first lead of the afternoon. The drive began at their own 19-yard line with a 14-yard burst by Bennett that placed DC at the 33-yard line. Bennett's largest run of the day would come on the following snap as he took the handoff 43-yards to the Anderson 24-yard line. Mico would take care of the rest as he found junior Jason Santora (Avon) in the end zone for the 23-yard score, 14-6.

Defiance entered the break with 261-yards of offense, including 81-yards rushing.

Anderson dominated much of the second half as they found two scores late that sealed the 18-14 victory.

Early in the fourth quarter, Anderson took the ball 75-yards on nine plays to cut the Defiance lead to 14-12. The Ravens offense continued to click as it wasted little time striking again scoring with 9:53 to play en route to their first win.  

The Yellow Jacket defense posted a strong performance as they held Anderson to just 262-yards of total offense and three interceptions.

Senior Jalin Nealy (Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield) led the DC secondary with a team-best 15 tackles and a sack.

Defiance returns to action on Saturday, October 6 as they welcome Franklin College for Homecoming weekend at Justin F. Coressel Stadium. Kickoff is det for 1:30 pm.