GAMEDAY CENTRAL / WEBCAST / LIVE STATS / GAME NOTES
SATURDAY'S GAME - The Jackets will look to notch their first win of the 2011 season and cap an exciting Homecoming Weekend at Defiance College, when they welcome the Panthers of Hanover College to Justin F. Coressel Stadium on Saturday at 1:30 pm.
SCOUTING DEFIANCE - Despite showing improvement in their week-two loss to Adrian, the Jackets will need even more from the offensive unit in order to contend within the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Through two showings, DC is averaging only 190.5 yards of total offense and 6.5 points. The Jackets' top offensive threat in those two games has been Brian Mircovich and his 58.5 receiving yards per contest. The defense has been anchored by Tony Sierra and Hunter Robertson, with the duo piling up 37 hits in two games.
SCOUTING HANOVER - The Panthers have been their own worst enemy in two setbacks to start the season. Hanover is averaging 355.0 total yards of offense but only scoring 17.0 points per game, thanks to 19 penalties and six turnovers in the two defeats. Dexter Britt has excelled since taking over at quarterback, by completing 27-of-44 pass attempts and tossing a trio of scoring strikes. Tight end Matt Robinette has been the primary target with 72 receiving yards per game, while linebacker Andy Dalton has led the defense with 29 tackles.
LAST MEETING - Rick Powell opened the scoring with a 71-yard scoring run late in the first quarter and the Jackets used a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to take a 24-10 win at Hanover one year ago. Powell had his way with the Panther defense, rushing for 195 yards and two scores and completing 17-of-24 passes for 114 yards through the air. The offensive outburst earned Powell the HCAC Offensive Player-of-the-Week honor, while helping Defiance notch its first victory of the young 2010 campaign.
SERIES HISTORY - The Yellow Jackets have dominated the recent series on the gridiron with Hanover, earning wins in five of the last six meetings. Despite the DC success of late, the Panthers hold an 18-12 all-time edge over the Purple and Gold.
LAST TIME OUT - Defiance suffered a 27-6 loss against Adrian last Saturday, as the Bulldogs struck for a touchdown in the opening 63 seconds and added scores in the closing moments of both halves to secure the victory. The Jackets seemed to be clicking, until stalling for only 25 total yards of offense on their first five possessions of the second half. Drew Kuesel paced the ground game by battling for 69 yards on 18 carries, while Brian Mircovich hauled in five catches for 51 yards. Tony Sierra led the defense with 12 stops and James Buari intercepted a pass and ended with six tackles.
AROUND THE HCAC - The battle for the 2011 HCAC Championship begins on Saturday, as eight of the nine league squads hook up for their HCAC openers. The most intriguing matchup of the afternoon will take place right inside Coressel Stadium, as Defiance hosts Hanover at 1:30 pm in a Homecoming clash. Preseason favorite and defending league champion, Franklin, will head to Bluffton to begin its title defense.
ONLINE WEBCASTS - Defiance College would like to thank Hubbard Company, Mark Moats Ford, Scotty's, City Beverage Company and Benedict's Pro Vending Solutions for their continued support of the Yellow Jacket Sports Network in 2011-2012. Each of DC's six home football games in 2011, along with the road games at Franklin and Anderson will be broadcast live at www.DefianceAthletics.com/video. Past broadcasts will be archived and will also be available by going to that link.
PARTNER UP! - Defiance College Athletics is offering an opportunity for you and your business to team up with the Yellow Jackets to provide exposure for your company, while supporting DC Athletics and the Yellow Jacket Sports Network. By teaming up with the Jackets, businesses will have their corporate logo placed on www.DefianceAthletics.com, which nets an average of 450,000 page views per month from DC students, parents, alumni and fans from in and around the region and across the nation. The partnership will also benefit student-athletes from all 21 varsity sports at Defiance College by helping to create a better collegiate experience for them all. To learn more about this exciting new opportunity with DC Athletics, please contact Seth Mikel at 419-783-2566 or smikel@defiance.edu.