Defiance Falls to Rose-Hulman in HCAC Opener, 23-19

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Defiance College Yellow Jackets fell to Rose-Hulman Saturday afternoon dropping the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener 23-19.

The Yellow Jackets carried a 13-3 lead into the halftime break, but were unable to slow down the Fighting Engineers in a 20-point third quarter for Rose-Hulman and the Yellow Jackets were not able to answer back.

Defiance took the lead in the second quarter after putting together an 11-play, 69-yard drive that was capped off by a Sean Washington 1-yard touchdown run. Spencer Saunders completed the point after attempt to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead.

Washington finished with 83 yards rushing on 21 carries. He was also 14-of-30 for 146 yards.

Cody Wilson had five of those receptions for 77 yards. He also finished with 30 yards rushing to lead the rest of the Yellow Jackets.

Defiance scored on the next two drives as well, both field goals from Saunders. The first attempt from Saunders was good from 28 yards and capped another 69-yard drive on 12 plays.

After a Rose-Hulman field goal, Defiance put together a 52-yard drive in 34 seconds, allowing Saunders to kick a 32-yard field goal to end the half with DC leading 13-3.

To start the second half, Rose-Hulman scored on three touchdowns on consecutive drives to take the lead for good over Defiance. The Fighting Engineers scored on drives of 69 and 79 yards on the first two drives.

The third touchdown drive for Rose-Hulman came on short field after the Defiance College punt was blocked and settled on the DC 37-yard line.

In the fourth quarter, Andrew Feldhaus put the Yellow Jackets back on the scoreboard with a 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown. It was Feldhaus' fourth forced fumble and second recovery of the season. After the blocked point after attempt, Rose-Hulman's lead was at 23-19.

Feldhaus finished with a team leading 11 tackles. He also had one tackle for a loss.

The fumble recovery was one of four recoveries for DC on the day. Jorry Matherson, Leroy Cheatham, and Trey White had the other recoveries.

The loss is the second straight for DC in the series against Rose-Hulman. DC leads the overall series 5-3. It is the third straight week that Defiance has put up more total yards of offense thean its opponent.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 28 at Anderson. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. start.