DC Football Set for HCAC Test Against Earlham

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets (1-3, 1-1 HCAC) will host Earlham College (1-3, 0-2 HCAC) for an HCAC clash inside Justin F. Coressel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets and the Quakers will meet for the 21st time in the history of the series and are set to kickoff at 1:30 p.m. [Game Notes]

Series History
Saturday's meeting will be the 21st meeting in the history of the two programs. DC holds a 14-6 (.700) series advantage over the Quakers.

Last season the Yellow Jackets picked up their second win of the season at the expense of EC, defeating the Quakers 34-10 in Richmond, Ind.

Since Earlham joined the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference for football in 2010, Defiance has not lost to the Quakers, outscoring Earlham 93-20.

Series history in the HCAC (1930-Pres)
Year     Winner    Score
2012    Defiance    34-10
2011    Defiance    26-10
2010    Defiance    33-0
1986    Earlham    30-17
1983    Earlham    20-19
1982    Defiance    10-7
1981    Earlham    75-42
1980    Defiance    28-0
1979    Defiance    28-0
1978    Defiance    13-7
1977    Defiance    28-6
1976    Defiance    38-24
1975    Defiance    14-0
1942    Defiance    20-12
1941    Earlham    13-0
1935    Defiance    32-6
1934    Defiance    14-0

Record against the state of Indiana
The Yellow Jackets will play their third of six games against teams from the "Hoosier" state this weekend. DC improved to 1-1 this season against teams from Indiana after beating Anderson last weekend.

Defiance has played in 215 games against schools from the state of Indiana in the program's history. The Yellow Jackets hold a narrow series margin over schools from the border state to the west, leading the series 109-104-2. 

Feldhaus is finding the ball, a lot
Andrew Feldhaus has proven to be able to get to the ball carrier from all over the field in the first four games of the season. The defensive back has led the Yellow Jackets in tackles in three of four games and has created some big plays for the defense.

This season, Feldhaus has put together 36 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. The sophomore also has three passes defended and three more pass break ups.

However, the Lutz, Fla. native is found at the top of the list in NCAA Division III for forced fumbles, as the sophomore already has five on the season. Feldhaus 1.25 forced fumbles per game leads the NCAA. Feldhaus also has three fumble recoveries on the year, which also leads the HCAC and is fifth in the NCAA.

Sierra amongst Division III best at corner
Defensive back Tony Sierra has been dominate in the cornerback position for the Yellow Jackets in 2013 and is quickly thrusting himself into the All-American mix. In Saturday's game at Anderson, the Warren, Mich. native picked off two Anderson passes, bringing his season total to four interceptions.

Sierra is amongst the leaders in the nation in interceptions, averaging one a game. The senior is tied for second best in Division III in interceptions. Sierra has also defended 12 passes on the season. The 3.0 average in passes defended is tops in the nation.

Washington leading HCAC as top rusher
Yellow Jackets Quarterback Sean Washington enters this week as the HCAC's leading rusher for the second straight week.  Washington has played in all four games this season and started the last three. The  Daytona Beach, Fla. native has 319 yards of offense on the ground and scored three touchdowns.

The sophomore leads the HCAC in rushing, as well as rushing yards per game with 79.8, 11.5 yards more than second. Washington's three touchdown runs, sit second in the HCAC.

Saunders remains solid, amongst best in Division III
Spencer Saunders made a pair of field goals from 24 and 31 yards this past weekend. Saunders also connected on all four extra point attempts as well. The two field goal day marks the second straight week that the junior kicker has made multiple field goals in a game. 

The Springfield, Ohio native is 5-of-6 on the season, with a long of 32. In his three-year career, Saunders is 12-of-18 with a career long of 33. Saunders is currently tied for eighth in Division III with five field goals.

Top of the line defense
The Yellow Jackets defense has been dominant in the first four games. DC was in the backfield a lot last week against Anderson, recording seven sacks as a part of 15 tackles for a loss. DC limited AU to -21 yards rushing. 

The Yellow Jackets lead the HCAC in total defense (222.8) and rushing defense (57.8) and are 8th and 6th, respectively, in DIII. The defense has averaged 10.6 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks per game. Both lead the HCAC and are 6th and 24th in the nation, respectively.

Defiance's seven fumble recoveries and seven interceptions both lead the HCAC and are nationally ranked 5th and 14th, respectively.

The defense has also done a very good job of getting off the field in 3rd down situations, leading the HCAC and sitting in 22nd nationally with a .250 conversion rate allowed against. The defense also leads the HCAC with only 46 first downs given up and by limiting opponents to a .667 score rate when reaching the red zone.