COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW Saturday's game

BETHANY (0-9) vs. DEFIANCE (1-8)
Game time: Noon at Bethany Stadium
Series history: First meeting
Bethany scouting report: This game was originally scheduled for Sept. 18 but postponed due to flooding in the area. Bethany hopes to avoid its first winless season since 1989. The Bison average 10.3 points and 298 yards per game and are allowing 45.7 points and 477 yards per game. The Bison have struggled with turnovers and have a minus-18 turnover margin through nine games. Senior DE Mark Brown was named to the All-PAC second team. He has 42 tackles this season, including four for loss and a team-best three sacks. The honorable mention selections were offensive lineman Chris Betts, receivers Zack Merz and Milton Joyner, quarterback Nazih Banna (Boardman), punter Mike Elias, linebackers Tim Goetz and Joe Slezak and defensive back Brad Bengele. Banna has completed 127-of-250 passes for 1,552 yards and 7 touchdowns. Merz leads the team with 474 receiving yards on 36 catches, Joyner leads the team with 46 receptions and two touchdowns. He has 467 receiving yards. Goetz leads the team with 55 tackles (31 solo, 24 assists) and also has one sack, four tackles for a loss and an interception. Slezak leads the team with three interceptions and has added 35 tackles (23 solo, 12 assists), 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Bengele has 39 stops (23 solo, 16 assists) this season and also has four passes defended and one tackle for a loss.
Defiance scouting report: The Yellow Jackets lost their first seven games of the season, but earned a win against Manchester (Ind.) 19-14, on Nov. 6. Defiance is averaging 8.4 points per game and allows 29.1. The offense averages 250 yards per game and the defense is giving up an average of 354 yards per game. The squad has a minus-9 turnover ratio. The offense is led by RB Darin Lomason, who has 625 yards and one touchdown. QB Nate Fitton has rushed for 250 yards and five TDs and completed 91-of-162 passes for 834 yards, with 3 TDs and 6 interceptions. Jason Brown is the top receiver (40-326-1); he was named to the All-Heartland Conference first team. DB Joe Cronkhite was also named to the first team and has 53 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and three pass breakups. DB Mike Hayden, a second team all-conference pick, leads the team with 73 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles, while Josh Staggs leads with four sacks.
Vindicator staff report