Yellow Jackets surge in second half to top Judson 40-20

DEFIANCE, Ohio — Defiance College overwhelmed Judson in its home opener at Justin F. Coressel Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 40-20 decisive victory. A gritty defensive performance and Caleb Johnson's career day assisted in lifting the Yellow Jackets past the Eagles.  

After winning the coin toss, Defiance elected to receive the opening kickoff with freshman quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong leading the offense in his collegiate debut. After two rushes, Thanthanavong took his first pass attempt – a 44-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver Deveon Williams, setting the Yellow Jackets up for a Carson Marroquin field goal from 19 yards out.

With 6:48 remaining on the first-quarter clock, the Eagles grabbed their first lead of the game on a two-yard rush. Freshman defensive back Jermaine Bond supported DC's defense with two tackles, including one solo. However, the advantage was short-lived as Defiance hurried down the field and sophomore running back Tristan Thomas capped off the drive in the endzone after fending off several defenders to put the Purple and Gold ahead for the second time, 10-7. 

Though only 4:25 came off the clock, Judson's next drive was filled with penalty flags from both sides of the ball, which deterred its scoring momentarily. A 5-yard pass gave the Eagles their second score, though an extra point kicked right at the uprights left it 13-10, which ended the halves' scoring. Twelve penalties were accepted throughout the first half of 20 total.  

The second half was a promising performance by the Yellow Jackets as they pulled away outscoring Judson 20-7, topped off by an impressive two quarters of football by wide receiver Johnson – a career-high day in receiving yards and touchdowns. In 30 minutes, the sophomore and Thanthanavong connected three times for 103 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 34.3 yards per touch in the game. 

One of these connections helped set the tone for the second half as a 91-yard drive ended with a successful 31-yard to Johnson in the endzone. Thomas then broke open a close game with a 10-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, capping a 12-play, 89-yard march that pushed the Yellow Jackets' lead to 27-13. 

Judson answered early in the fourth when a 5-yard scoring pass cut the margin to 27-20. Defiance struck back quickly as Thanthanavong found Johnson for a 35-yard touchdown strike just two minutes later and added a 15-yard rushing score in the final minute, sealing the win and improving Defiance to 2-0 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets piled up 589 yards of total offense, including 355 on the ground, while holding Judson to just 53 rushing yards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Defiance outgained Judson 550-284 in total offense.

• The Yellow Jackets rushed for 251 net yards on 48 carries, which was led by Tristan Thomas who had the second-most productive game of his career with 169 yards on the ground and two scores.

• In his first career start, Ethan Thanthanavong threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 15-yard rushing score. He went 12-of-16 overall on the day through the air. 

• Caleb Johnson's career day featured three passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns all in the second half. He additionally recovered a Defiance fumble to save the Jackets from a turnover.

• Deveon Williams was the second-leading receiver adding 81 yards on four receptions.

• Judson's Marcus Freeman completed 27 of 40 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

• Defiance was penalized 12 times for 129 yards, while Judson had eight for 57 yards.

• Both defenses recorded two sacks, however, Defiance's defense won the day with nine tackles-for-loss, equating to 27 negative yards. Kyle Szczyt led the group with two.

• The Purple and Gold trailed in time of possession 32:17 to 27:43.

• The last time the Yellow Jackets began a season 2-0 was in 2001. 

UP NEXT

Defiance College heads to St. Vincent Field for a 1:05 P.M. kickoff against Marian on Saturday.

-JACKETS-