Allen’s dramatic return lifts Jackets over Bison

DEFIANCE, Ohio—DC sophomore Gary Allen returned a Bethany College kick-off 80 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute to play, giving the Jackets a 29-26 win on Saturday afternoon at Coressel Stadium

Bethany had just earned their first lead of the game on a Dante Green 13-yard scoring run and the momentum after previously scoring on a eight-yard Brad Zink touchdown reception from Brent Owens with 6:26 remaining. Allen, however, stole the show with his scoring strike down the visitor sideline and lifted the Jackets to 1-2 on the year heading into a bye week.

Defiance had built a 22-12 lead midway through the third quarter when Maurice Griffin hauled in a nine-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Nate Fitton. Fitton ended the day 5-for-11 for 68 yards. Bethany had closed the gap to 12-14 on a Clayton Williams 30-yard field goal to close out the first half scoring.

The Jackets opened up the game with a 16-yard scamper by Fitton in the first quarter, making the score 7-0. Jason Gendron later broke loose on a 10-yard touchdown run, giving the Jackets a 14-0 lead with Keith Wilson’s second of four converted extra points.

T.J. Parker of the Bison scored on a 16-yard pass from Brian Wineberg in the first quarter and later blocked a DC punt in the end zone for a safety.

Gendron led DC in rushing with 42 yards on 13 carries, while Ray Rateno netted 30 hard-earned yards on nine rushes. Luke Dillon had 29 receiving yards on two catches with Rodger Shingledecker making one grab for 19 yards.

Kris Zajac was the stand-out defensively for DC, registering 18 tackles including 5.0 tackles-for-loss with four sacks. Steven Brancheau added eight stops , while Tyler Haines had seven tackles and two sacks. Nic Cass had two interceptions and three passes broken up, while Jason Bushong also had a pick. Keith Snyder played well in his first start in the secondary with six tackles.

The Bethany offense outgained Defiance 330 to 157, but had four turnovers, to DC’s two and eight penalties for 62 yards, while DC committed five for 50 yards. The Defiance defense also totaled nine sacks.

The Jacket special teams came through after allowing the safety with 169 return yards and a 38.8-yard punting average by senior Blake Stambaugh.

The Jackets, now 1-2 on the year, are idle next week before traveling to Case Western Reserve on Saturday, October 1 for a 1:30 p.m. kick-off.

The Bison are also 1-2 and will travel to Thiel next Saturday.