Yellow Jackets dominate Rio Grande in season-opening 48-6 victory

JACKSON, Ohio — The Defiance College Yellow Jackets opened its 2025 season with a dominating performance, defeating Rio Grande (0-1) 48-6 on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium, and creating their largest win margin since October 2017. 

DC's 458-total yard day allowed it to capture its first season-opening win since 2009. 

After conceding an early touchdown pass, the Yellow Jackets (1-0) responded immediately as senior quarterback Jehlani Warren capped a short drive with an 11-yard rushing score. Warren struck again later in the first quarter with an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tawann Rome, giving Defiance a 13-6 lead after one.

The Yellow Jackets controlled the second quarter on both sides of the ball. Sophomore running back Tristan Thomas broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown, and Rome added his second score — a 7-yard run — in the final seconds before halftime to extend the margin to 27-6.

Defiance continued to pour it on after the break. Warren punched in his second rushing touchdown from two yards out, then connected with junior wide receiver Shonjae Gibson for a 59-yard strike that pushed the lead to 41-6 entering the fourth.

The Jackets capped the scoring in the final period when freshman quarterback Jordan Southall found sophomore receiver Caleb Johnson for a 24-yard touchdown reception, sealing a convincing 48-6 victory.

Defiance finished with 458 yards of total offense, including 268 on the ground. Thomas led the rushing attack with 68 yards, while Warren accounted for three total touchdowns and 166 passing yards. Johnson paced the receivers with four catches for 76 yards and a score.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets limited Rio Grande to just 23 total yards of offense and five first downs. The unit recorded four sacks, highlighted by senior Dominic Harris with two of his own. Sophomore linebacker Kyle Szczyt added an interception return of 17 yards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Quarterback Jehlani Warren accounted for four total touchdowns, rushing for two and passing for two while throwing for 166 yards.

• Tristan Thomas led the ground game with 68 rushing yards and a 28-yard touchdown run.

• Tawann Rome scored twice, once on an 18-yard reception and again on a 7-yard run. Rome finished the day with 74 total yards, averaging nine on the ground per carry and 14.5 through the air.

• Shonjae Gibson hauled in a 59-yard touchdown catch to highlight the passing attack. This was Gibson's sole touch of the game. 

• Caleb Johnson recorded a team-high four receptions for 76 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown from true freshman Jordan Southall.

• The Yellow Jackets' offense piled up 458 total yards, with 268 on the ground and 190 through the air.

• Defiance held Rio Grande to just 23 yards of total offense and five first downs.

• The defense collected four sacks, led by Dominic Harris with two.

• Kyle Szczyt added an interception return of 17 yards to cap the defensive effort, as well as a forced fumble.

• Defiance converted 8-of-18 third downs and scored on five of seven red-zone chances.

• The Jackets also went 3-of-4 on fourth downs, which is 16% ahead of last season. 

• Saturday marked Rio Grande's first football season since 1949.

• The win puts Defiance at 1-0 first the first since 2009. It's 42-point win margin is the greatest since a 45-0 win over Anderson in October 2017.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets will welcome the Judson Eagles to Justin F Coressel Stadium to open their home slate on Sept. 6. The game is set for 1 p.m.

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