Box Score
Defiance College scored today with their offense, defense, and special teams as they held off the Mount for a 23-13 win at Schueler Field. The Lions, 3-2 overall, 2-2 in the HCAC, return to conference action on Oct. 15 when they play at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
The Yellow Jackets opened the scoring when they raced in on an 84-yard punt return TD with 6:19 to play in the first quarter. The Mount's Brian Pitzer (South Salem, OH/McClain) answered that score just three minutes later when he scored from 11 yards out - but the Lions missed the PAT kick - and trailed, 7-6.  Defiance would add a 23-yard field goal early in the second half, to push their lead out to 10-6, and neither team would score again the rest of the half.
The Lions had over 200 yards of total offense in th first half, and converted four-of-eight third down conversions, but could not get past the Defiance 30-yard line other than Pitzer's score.
After a scoreless third quarter for both teams, the Mount cut the deficit to 13-10, when James Clay (Louisville, KY/Manual Dupont) scored on a 42-yard TD run - and Dan Dripps (Wapakoneta, OH/Wapakoneta) added the PAT kick. The Lions would not get closer, as the Yellow Jackets added a 22-yard TD run and a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Three of the Mount's seven second half possessions ended in a punt, while two other drives ended with an interception.
The Mount had 20 first downs to Defiance's 14 first downs, gained more in total offense (371-271 yards) but were hurt by three turnovers. Pitzer recorded a game-high 102 yards rushing, while Clay chipped in 94 yards on the ground. Pitzer was eight-for-22 passing, for 61 yards. Jimmy Dan Conners (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills) and Clay each had three receptions. Tyler Hopperton (Walton, KY/Simon Kenton) led all defenders with 13 tackles, while Adam Bigelow (Cincinnati, OH/Anderson) had a fumble recovery.
