By Ben Risinger, Sports Information Director
September 14, 2004
The Matchup
When: Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 1 p.m
Where: Adrian, Michigan – Maple Stadium
On the Radio: Listen live to Bluffton University football on 107.1 FM.
On the Web: Listen live to Bluffton University football at www.wdoh.com
Bluffton University (2-1) lost their first game of the season, 45-14 to Thiel College last Saturday. Adrian College did not play last week, but shutout Defiance College 34-0 on Sept. 11.
The Head Coaches
Head coach Greg Brooks enters his second year at the helm of the Bluffton University football team. Brooks now posts four wins as the head coach of the Beavers. Before his tenure as head coach, Brooks was the offensive coordinator for 22 years.
Adrian College is led by Jim Lyall who is in his 15th season as the head coach of the Bulldogs. Lyall has been a member of the Adrian football coaching staff since 1974. He was Adrian’s defensive coordinator in 1989 prior to being named head coach. Lyall’s overall coaching record at Adrian is 59-70-1.
Bluffton - Adrian Series History
Adrian College leads the all-time series 8-3 over the Beavers. Bluffton University won the last meeting between the two teams, 28-23 in 1977. Adrian won the previous four year’s contests: 15-13 in 1973, 10-7 in 1974, 24-20 in 1975 and 51-0 in 1976.
Last Time for the Beavers and Bulldogs
The Beavers lost 45-14 to Thiel College for their first loss of the 2004 season. Freshman Terence Clayton ran back a 96-yard kickoff return to give Bluffton their first points of the game. Clayton was named HCAC special teams player of the week for his efforts in the contest. The Beavers saw juniors Aaron Kreiger and Tim Koontz at quarterback last Saturday. Kreiger posted one completion for three yards with Koontz connecting on three passes for 36 yards on the day.
Ben Dodds led the rushing and receiving efforts with 16 carries for 39 yards and one touchdown on the ground and caught two receptions for 19 yards in the air. Freshman linebacker Sam McCullough led the Beaver defense with nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assisted).
Adrian College posted 450 total yards of offense in their 34-0 defeat of Defiance College two weeks ago. The Bulldogs were led by quarterback Matt Patterson who went 12-for-21 for 188 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Receiver Joel Musielewicz posted five catches for 68 yards. Chris Clay led the rushing game with 20 carries for 177 yards.
Leading the Beavers
Junior Ben Dodds continues to lead the ground attack for Bluffton with 65 carries for 272 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Ben McCullough has 17 attempts for 123 yards rushing. Freshman Leon Payne leads the receivers with nine catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Mark Gable has five receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns for the season. Juniors Aaron Krieger and Tim Koontz have split time at the quarterback position. Krieger has 10 completions for 119 yards and one touchdown. Koontz currently shows three completions for 36 yards in the air.
Next up for the Beavers and Bulldogs
Bluffton University will be back at home on October 2 for homecoming as they take on the Manchester College Spartans. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Adrian will host Albion College. Start time for the contest is 1 p.m.
