Published November 02, 2009 11:07 am - BLUFFTON, Ohio — The Anderson University football team defeated Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton University 28-3 on Saturday at Salzman Stadium in Bluffton, Ohio.
All four Raven touchdowns were scored by defensive players and the visitors held the Beavers to 105 total yards of offense and a field goal. AU tallied 307 total yards, including a season-high 194 on the ground.
AU records season's first win at Bluffton
Raven football team wins 28-3
For The Herald Bulletin
BLUFFTON, Ohio — The Anderson University football team defeated Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton University 28-3 on Saturday at Salzman Stadium in Bluffton, Ohio.
All four Raven touchdowns were scored by defensive players and the visitors held the Beavers to 105 total yards of offense and a field goal. AU tallied 307 total yards, including a season-high 194 on the ground.
Starting middle linebacker Ryan Hildenbrand scored on three 1-yard TD runs in the second half — all from the AU offense’s “heavy” formation on the goal line. The final score came on a 14-yard fumble return by defensive end Jathan Wilsey (pictured at left). Hildenbrand finished with six yards on five carries on offense and added eight tackles on defense, including four for a loss.
John Sims led the ground game with a career-high 103 yards on 28 carries. Quarterback Jacob Walker added 35 yards on seven carries, including a key 35-yard run on the first possession of the second half to set up the first score of the game for either team.
Walker finished 7-of-15 for 113 yards in the game, including completing his final six pass attempts.
Free safety Nic Jackson was the leading receiver with three catches for 71 yards, including a key 57-yard reception to set up the Ravens second touchdown. Jackson also returned a punt and kickoff and added a tackle on special teams.
The Ravens also converted 9-of-15 third downs in the game compared to just 1-of-15 for the Beavers.
Luke Hurst led the defense with 11 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss as the Ravens recorded a season-high 15 behind the line of scrimmage. Leonard Wells finished with seven tackles, a blocked punt and a sack and Charlie Holcomb and Todd Taylor added six stops each from their linebacker positions.
AU (1-7, 1-4 HCAC) hosts Rose-Hulman on Saturday at Macholtz Stadium for Senior Day. The game will be carried live on the Internet broadcast at 1:30 p.m.