Yellow Jackets Force Eight Turnovers in Win Against Hope

DEFIANCE, OHIO  --  The Defiance College football team forced a combined eight turnovers to claim its first win of the 2016 season with an 18-6 decision against Hope (Mich.) College in the home opener at Justin F. Coressel Stadium.  The win also snapped a four-game losing streak that dates back to last season.

The Yellow Jacket defense intercepted five passes and recovered three fumbles which led to 12 of the team's 18 points in the game.  Junior defensive back Markell Moncrief (Detroit, Mich./Southfield Lathrup) recorded his second straight game with two interceptions and sophomore linebacker Jalin Nealy (Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield) had a 45-yard fumble return for a touchdown that sealed the win for DC in the fourth quarter.  As a unit, the DC defense held Hope to 233 yards of offense, including just 65 yards on the ground.

Offensively, Defiance totaled 295 yards with sophomore Corey Bennett (Tampa, Fla./Blake) rushing for 81 yards on 28 carries and had one touchdown.  Junior quarterback Logan Scott (Curtice/Genoa) completed 19-of-39 passes for 193 yards and a TD.  Sophomore wideout Nate Roberts (St. Petersburg, Fla./Boca Ciega) and senior receiver Cody Wilson (McComb) both caught a game-high six passes.  Roberts also finished with a team-best 68 yards, while Wilson had 56 reception yards and caught a touchdown pass.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Defiance (1-1) got on the scoreboard in the second period when Bennett found paydirt on a four-yard scamper that ended an 11-play, 54 yard drive which was set up by Moncrief's first of two interceptions.   The extra point was missed following the Bennett score, but the Jackets led 6-0 at the 12:41 mark.  

After an ensuing three-and-out by the Flying Dutchmen, the Jackets then marched 65 yards in eight plays to record their second TD of the day.  This time on an eight-yard completion from Scott to Wilson with 7:35 left in the half.  The extra point attempt again missed its mark, but the lead extended to 12-0 in favor of DC.

On Hope's next drive, Moncrief ended the possession with his second interception of the game and gave DC an excellent scoring opportunity at the Hope 21-yard line.  The Yellow Jacket drive began with a three yard rush by freshman Demaria Washington (Miami, Fla./Dr. Phillips), but then stalled with three straight incompletions keeping the score at 12-0.  That would be the final good scoring chance for either team the remainder of the half as the Jackets took its 12-point advantage into the locker rooms.

The Dutchmen got the ball to start the second half, but would toss another interception on its first play of srimmage.  DC's Jerome Davis (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter) was the beneficiary of the errant throw for his first INT of the season.  The Defiance offense then drove to the Dutchmen six yard line, but the drive ended on a fourth down play resulting in no points and the quarter would end with DC still leading, 12-0.

In the fourth quarter, DC put the game away on Hope's seventh turnover of the game when Nealy picked up a fumble and returned it 45 yards for the score to put the Yellow Jackets up, 18-0, with 13:36 to play.  Defiance went for the two-point conversion, but the pass attempt failed, keeping the score at 18-0.  

Hope looked to rally on its ensuing drive and ended the possible shutout with a five-yard TD run at the 11:20 mark to cut into the Jacket lead.  The Dutchmen's extra point attempt sailed wide right as DC maintained an 18-6 magin. 

Later in the quarter, the Dutchmen looked to be headed to another score by getting inside the redzone at the Defiance 18-yard line, but a fumble that was recovered by DC's Matt DeVore (Van Buren) sealed the victory as the Jackets were then able to run out the clock to go on to the 18-6 final.

Defiance will face a tough opponent in No. 18 nationally-ranked Franklin (Ind.) College next Saturday, Sept. 17 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener at Coressel Field.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.