FRANKLIN, Ind. — Defiance used an efficient offense to control the ball and left Franklin without any doubt as to why they're one of the top teams in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Holding Franklin's strong passing attack to only 140 yards and one touchdown, the undefeated Yellow Jackets (7-0 overall, 4-0 HCAC) frustrated the Grizzlies with a patient offense and a stifling defense. The Grizzlies were 10th in Division III in team passing offense coming in. Defiance running backs Maurice Hooker and Mike Moran combined for 168 yards on the ground and uarterback Walker Graher threw for 160 yards to beat Franklin.
The game was a stalemate through nearly two quarters. Quarterback duo Jeremy Neibert and Eric Sabo struggled to solve a tough Yellow Jacket defense that totaled three sacks and two interceptions. Without injured leading receiver Eddie Tucker, FC turned to junior wingback Andy Mamula, who caught seven passes for 54 yards. Sophomore tight end Ryan Okerson scored the only Grizzly touchdown on a 9-yard pass Sabo in the final period — the first touchdown catch of Okerson's collegiate career.
But with 10 seconds left before halftime, Defiance found the end zone on an 8-yard run by Hooker and never looked back. After the break, it was all clock control for the Yellow Jackets who held the ball for 39 minutes compared to 21 for the Grizzlies. Two field goals by kicker Matt Daniel, a second Hooker rushing score, and a short touchdown pass from Kelly to tight end Nathan Sucheki put the game out of reach at 27-0.
The defense played particularly well for Franklin despite being on the field for most of the way. Senior defensive end Josh McMillin was all over the field with 18 total tackles (including three solos) and a sack. Sophomore free safety Eli Veach also had two first-half interceptions.
Franklin (2-5 overall) fell to 1-2 in the HCAC.
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