Jackets struggle in opener

--Defiance, Ohio—The Defiance College 2004 football season got off to a rough start on Saturday with a 41-6 loss to Otterbein College at Justin F. Coressel Stadium.

The Cardinals used an almost two-to-one time of possession advantage to control the game and force the Jackets into playing catch-up in the second half. DC converted on only one-of-11 third down opportunities and were outgained in total yards, 353 to 232.

Patrick Henry (Avon, Ohio) threw for 127 yards and one interception on 13-of-25 passing in his first collegiate start, while freshman Darin Lomason (Prescott, Mich.) ran for 79 yards on 17 carries. Jimmy Biggs (Marshall, Mich) led the Jackets in receiving with 45 yards on three catches. Kevin Dixon (Miami, Fla.) returned seven kickoffs for 138 yards.

Steven Brancheau (Temparence, Mich.) led the DC defense with nine tackles, while Zac Fulmer (Hastings, Mich.) had eight tackles, two tackles-for-loss and one sack from his defensive tackle position.

Several key turnovers led to a shift in momentum. Two fumbles killed promising drives in the first half and gave the Cardinals all the advantage they needed. The Jackets committed 11 penalties for 80 yards, compared to OC’s 7-for-51. Jacket punter Blake Stambaugh (Swanton, Ohio) performed well with a 39.5-yard average on four punts.

Otterbein took the early lead on two John Sims field goals of 42 and 38 yards in the first quarter. The Cardinals then took a commanding 22-0 lead on touchdowns by Chase Austin, on the ground, and a Ricardo Lenhart reception from Matt Downing. DC kicker Keith Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind.) got Defiance on the board before the half with a 37-yard field goal to make the score 22-3.

Lenhart scored again on a 24-yard pass from Downing in the third quarter. Wilson answered back with a 32-yard field goal for DC final score of the game. Otterbein scored three times in the fourth quarter on another touchdown by Austin, a John Scott safety, and a Sims field goal to make the final score 41-6.

Defiance will travel to Adrian next Saturday to face the 1-0 Bulldogs, who won 24-14 at Heidelberg on Saturday. Otterbein travels to Capital University in two weeks to face the No. 12 Crusaders, who beat up on No. 24 Wittenberg on Saturday 49-16.