Dillon's Record-Setting Night Leads Jackets Past Otterbein

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- A three-hour delay due to weather turned out to be well worth the wait on Saturday night, as Defiance stumped Otterbein for an impressive 16-14 road victory. The Cardinals had no answer for Luke Dillon, as the senior set school and HCAC records with 17 receptions and 258 receiving yards in the win.

The 258 receiving yards for Dillon shattered DCs previous school record of 228 set by Sam Williams against Olivet in 1993 and also edged the top HCAC mark of 251 set by Franklins Eddie Tucker during the 2000 season. Dillons 17 receptions also tied the Defiance and HCAC single-game records, as the latest Yellow Jacket to accomplish the feat was Mike Groll against Adrian in 1999.

Dillon was not the only Yellow Jacket to put his stamp on the record books on Saturday, as Alex Bonilla connected on three field goals, including the eventual game winner from 36 yards out, to tie the Defiance single-game record held by Matt Wooten (1993).

Hans Vetter and Dillon got things started early and often as the duo hooked up three times for 40 yards on DCs opening drive to march into Otterbein territory, before a Tom Foos punt pinned the Cardinals on their own 14 yard-line.

Defiances defense held strong on the Cardinals opening possession, forcing a quick three and out. A 34-yard punt was returned 14 yards by Gary Allen to give the Jackets excellent field position for their second drive of the night.

Starting on OCs 41, Vetter wasted no time finding Dillon for a 39-yard strike to set up Defiances first score of the night. Lewis Caralla then punched it in from two yards out to cap the two-play, 41-yard drive and give the Purple and Gold the 7-0 lead.

The score would stay 7-0 in favor of DC until a string of Bonilla field goals steadily built the Yellow Jacket advantage to 16-0 by the 4:47 mark of the third quarter. Bonilla connected from 30, 26 and 36 yards out to cushion the lead.

Defiance would need every bit of that 16-0 spread, as Otterbein finally managed to get its offense on track late in the third frame, cutting the deficit in half with a touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion with 1:58 remaining in the third.

The Cardinals would then strike again on their very next possession, marching 90 yards to trim the DC advantage to 16-14 with 4:25 left in the game. Jeff Rafferty fueled the 10-play scoring drive by connecting on four consecutive passing attempts for 57 yards and rushing for 10 more. The Jackets seemingly stalled the OC drive when Nic Cass picked off Raffertys offering at the DC 23, but the play was waived off due to a penalty.

Despite surrendering the long scoring drive, the Defiance defense buckled down and preserved the lead by turning back Otterbeins second two-point conversion attempt of the evening.

Neither side would score from that point on, as DC milked nearly six minutes off the clock over its final two touches and got key tackles from Jeremy Bayer and Andrew Mickey to force a harmless three and out on Otterbeins final chance of the game.

Overshadowed by Dillons monster night was a vintage Yellow Jacket defensive performance as DC held Otterbein off the scoreboard for the first 43 minutes and held strong late in the game to preserve the 16-14 victory. Along with denying the second two-point attempt and forcing a punt on Otterbeins final drive, the biggest stop of the game may have come on the opening possession of the second half. Dan Gendron put the Jackets on their heels with a 46-yard return of the kickoff, and three plays later the Cardinals were on the DC 18 facing a third and five. Mike Szuma delivered with a five-yard sack to stall the drive and OC missed the ensuing 40-yard field goal attempt to remain scoreless.

Keith Snyder led the way on defense with nine of his team-high 11 tackles coming via the solo variety. Mickey provided six hits, including two for lost yardage, Chris Tietje had an interception and Szuma turned in DCs lone sack of the game.

The story of the night was Dillon however, as the Temperance, Mich., native hooked up with Vetter to move the chains all night long to the tune of 17 receptions and 258 receiving yards.

Vetter ended the night with one of his best performances, connecting on 26-of-44 attempts for 352 yards through the air, and Caralla rushed for 51 yards and a score.

With the victory, Defiance evens its record on the young season at 1-1. The Jackets will look to get on the positive side of .500 next Saturday when they play at Tri-State at 1:00 pm.