Anderson vs. Bluffton

Anderson vs. Bluffton


By Ben Risinger, SID
October 6, 2003

The Matchup

            When: Saturday, October 11, 2003

            Where:  Bluffton, Ohio – Dwight Salzman Stadium

            On the Radio: Listen live to Bluffton College football on WDOH 107.1 FM. The game can also be found on the internet at www.wdoh.com.

 

   The Bluffton Beavers enter the contest with a 2-2 overall record. Anderson travels to Bluffton with a 3-2 record, 1-0 HCAC. Bluffton have many festivities planned for Homecoming day 2003. For information on the events, go to www.bluffton.edu/blufftonalumni/homecoming.

The Coaches

   Bluffton coach Greg Brooks is 2-2 on his career this season. Brooks is no stranger to the Bluffton program having been the offensive coordinator for the past 23 years. He is a 1977 graduate of Ohio University where he was a quarterback and a four-year letterman for the Bobcats.

   Anderson is led by Jeff Judge (Iowa State ’87). His career record is 3-2 with 2003 being his first year as a head coach. Prior to being the Ravens head coach, Judge was offensive and defensive coordinator at Wisconsin Stevens Point.

 

Series History

   Bluffton and Anderson will meet for the 29th time in 2003. The Beavers own a 16-12 series advantage over the Ravens. Anderson has won the last two contests 27-9 in 2001 and 41-17 in 2002. Bluffton last victory over Anderson was a 35-0 shutout at home in 2000.

This Year’s contest

   Anderson will enter the game with a 3-2 record. Bluffton posts a 2-2 record on the 2003 campaign.

Last Week
   Bluffton battled the Urbana Blue Knights and were defeated 31-13. Running back Ben Dodds led the Beavers ground attack with 24 carries for 112 yards. Quarterback Jared Owens went 8-for-19 for 121 arial yards and one touchdown. Chris Sommers led the defensive attack with 13 tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted).

   Anderson defeated HCAC opponent Defiance (54-35) for their first conference win of the year. Denny Kimmel led the Ravens in rushing with 16 carries for 90 yards. Joel Steele threw for 449 yards and four touchdowns for Anderson. Receiver Ryan Alspaugh posted 12 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Leading the Beavers on the year

   Quarterback Jared Owens enters the contest with 579 yards on the season with two touchdowns from the air. Owens is 76-43-2 for a completion percentage of 56.6 %. Ben Dodds leads the rushing attack with 355 yards on 83 carries (4.3 avg. per carry). Mark Gable leads the receivers with 216 yards on 13 catches and one touchdown. Defensively, Chris Sommers posts 48 tackles (16 solo, 32 assisted) with one pass break up for the season. Pat Craun has 31 tackles (8 solo, 23 assisted) with five TFL’s, three quarterback sacks, two pass break ups and one fumble recovery.

 

Leading the Ravens on the year

   Raven quarterback Joel Steele leads Anderson with 1802 yards in the air (251-158-10). Denny Kimmel leads the running backs with 210 yards on 47 carries. Kimmel also leads the Raven receivers with 42 catches for 349 yards on the year. Dustin Westafer leads the defensive attack for Anderson with 51 tackles for 2003 (31 solo, 20 assisted).

 

Beavers in the Heartland Conference
   As a team the Beavers lead the HCAC in rushing offense, averaging 194 yards per game. Bluffton ranks third in total offense with 343.2 ypg. The Beavers defense ranks second in HCAC rushing defense allowing opponents only 115.0 ypg on the ground. In total defense Bluffton is third, allowing 350.2 ypg. The Beavers are third in scoring offense, averaging 22.8 ypg.

   Ben Dodds leads the HCAC in all purpose yards, averaging 139.0 ypg.  Dodds currently ranks third in the HCAC in rushing with 355 total yards (88.8ypg) with Jared Owens following at fourth in the league with 206 total yards (51.5 ypg). From the air Owens currently ranks fourth in passing with 579 total yards (144.8 ypg). In total offense Owens ranks third, averaging 196.2 ypg. Chris Sommers ranks first in the HCAC with 48 tackles for the season (12.0 tackles per game).

Last Season Overall

   Bluffton finished the 2002 campaign at 3-7 (1-5 HCAC). Anderson ended the 2002 season at 7-3 overall (5-1 HCAC).

 

Next up for the Bluffton College

   Bluffton will visit HCAC opponent Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.). Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. at L.S. Ayres field.